Al-Asi ( The Orontes) Plant Inventory
الارشيف النباتي لنهر العاصي
Plants distributed according to season - © 2024 The Water Commons Archives (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Fruit Trees
Due to the decline in the water infrastructure as a result of climate change and other catastrophic events, the production of fruit trees has declined immensely, and the shift between fruit tree production and grain led production seems more apparent than before.
Distribution of Fruit Trees - © 2024 The Water Commons Archives- Syria (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Vegetables and Rainfed Crops
As a result of the steep drop in irrigated areas, crop output in the Orontes basin was cut by approximately 70%. The loss in cultivated land and the yields of rainfed crops both contributed to a lesser extent to the decline in output.
Distribution of Vegetables and Rainfed Crops - © 2024 The Water Commons Archives- Syria (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Forests
Along the narrow, winding roads that connect the communities located amid the mountains, conifers, oaks, and bushes cover the mountains. Unfortunately, and due to to poverty circumstances, Syrian rare trees are felled by citizens for firewood.
Distribution of Forests - © 2024 The Water Commons Archives- Syria (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Olive Trees
With 471'00 hectares of orchards, mostly olive groves, the Orontes basin was one of Syria's top tree producing locations before the conflict. It also contributed significantly to the production of livestock in the provinces of Hama, Homs, and Idlib. On the 26,000 hectares of orchards, around 15% had been devastated. Additionally, 40% of surfaces are no longer functional.
Distribution of Olive Trees - © 2024 The Water Commons Archives- Syria (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Statistic Credits: Water Security in the Middle East - Swiss Agency for Development and Cooptation SDC