The importance of establishing a natural reserve in the sahel al-gharbi valley, al-batnan plateau, marmarica, northeastern Libya

This study was conducted in the Wadi Al-Sahl Al-Gharbi area of the Butnan Plateau, northeast of Libya During the period between 2020-2023, the importance and goal of this study was to evaluate the environmental conditions and the possibility of establishing a nature reserve in this region with important environmental and human potential, and the most important of these potentials is biodiversity (plant and animal) in addition to its content of archaeological sites and distinctive geomorphological sites, The study included a review of studies and research related to the subject of nature reserves and environmental degradation, as well as a comprehensive survey of plants and animals. The area was divided into 6 sites from south to north. The area of each site was 500 m2. Two squares were taken in each site with a tolerance of (5 x 5 m)(Where the soil properties were studied, as well as List the most important water sources in the region and take samples from them for chemical analysis in addition to distributing 100 questionnaires On residents and visitors to the area, with extensive field monitoring throughout the study period, After the field study, analysis and geographical distribution of natural resources and knowledge of the nature of the region, the study reached a number of results, the most important of which is that the region is exposed to a significant deterioration in the vegetation cover and Check it out Soil degradation and It is salty as this region witnesses to decrease in the numbers of animals and birds that were previously abundant in the area, although the area has been severely degraded due to the dry climate, human activities and mismanagement of the region's resources for decades, this area still has many remarkable environmental and human potentials, and there is a feasible possibility of transforming it into a protected area to preserve biodiversity with the sustainable use of its natural resources by the local population, accordingly the study recommended the need for proper planning to establish a natural reserve in the Western Wadi Al-Sahel area and to develop development programs that provide development for current and future generations. However, the remaining obstacles that must be solved are the lack of environmental awareness among residents and visitors of the area in their dealings with such fragile and sensitive areas, as well as the lack of interest of government agencies, which is represented in the lack of continuous funding and the failure to implement strict legislation and procedures to preserve these environmentally important areas.