Physical and ecological features:

The Abou-Qubies site (AQS) is located at the top and eastern slopes of the coastal mountain ridges.

Two major roads in the north and in the south bound the site. These roads cross the coastal mountains connecting Hama and Ghab provinces with Lattakia province (coastal area).

The area is an upraise between Al-Ghab rift where the Orontes used to cross its plain and the Mediterranean Sea . Topography is rough and is essentially composed of chalky Jurassic and Cretacic stones. 

Water drain out of these mountains along with water divides towards coast to feed springs and rivers. 

Al-Sin River is the most important river at national level as it supplies Lattakia partially of its need of domestic water.

The coastal mountains in general have a sub- humid to humid Mediterranean climate with cool to cold variant. The amount of precipitation in the site is approximated at 1300mm. Precipitation is mainly in winter. Snow falls frequently. Mean annual temperature is 17.1 °C whereas mean maximum temperature is 30.8 °C. Mean minimum temperature is 3.9°C

Ecologically speaking, the site has the three variants of the bio-climatic zones, which favor spread of many species. In addition, due to its micro-climatic conditions and favorable climate the site is rich in species. 

Physiognomically, The site ecosystem is composed of a mixture of evergreen sclerophyllous forests and deciduous forests. Basic components of the evergreen forests is Quercus calliprinos (umbrella species) and additional number of secondary woody species such as Q. infectoria,Arbutus andrachne, Pistacia palaestina, Phillyrea media, Laurus nobilis, Cotinus coggyra, etc… These types of forests form a climax community of generally of more than 4m in height. They are found on shallow soils and drier sites on basically southern and eastern slopes .Once disturbed (grazing, cutting, clearing.) retrogression succession starts and leads to secondary plant communities. These secondary communities are composed of maqui of different degraded stages. Various types of maquis are recognized most importantly are:

Dense maqui (2m in height and land coverage is >75%) with more than 60% deciduous elements .

Open maqui (0.6 –2m in height and land coverage is ranging from 50 - 75%)

Sparse maqui (mostly <0.6m and land coverage is ranging from 25 to 50%)

Mountain summit maqui (very sparse and affected mostly be strong wind rock outcrops and shallow soil) .

Basic woody components of forests include Quercus cerris subsp. pseudocerris, Q. infectoria, Ostrya carpinifolia, Sorbus sp., Pyrus Syriaca and many others. Evergreen elements are present here by a percentage of less than 30-40%.

The protected area contains various elements of the Mediterranean flora and some of the Irano-Turanean elements. Of the hot variant of Mediterranean bio-climate zones few species occur. Most of which are threatened. Ceratonia siliqua, Olea europea and Myrtus communis are major ones in this category. Species found in the Eu-Mediterranean zone are: Pistacia palaestina (= P. Mutica), Quercus calliprinos, Laurus nobilis, Spartium junceum, Acer syriacum, Juniperus oxycedrus.

Major species found in the mountain bio-climatic zone of the site are: Quercus calliprinos, Carpinus orientalis, Fraxinus ornus, Q. pseudocerris. Natural and man-made Brutia pine stands are present in the site too.

Global significance:

The importance of Abou Qubies protected area comes from its geological, geo-morphological and biological structures. The ecosystem in the area is considered unique in its assemblages of species, which creates habitats sheltering various forms of fauna. Site importance are highlighted in the following points:

It is estimated that the total number of species in the site is about 350. Most of which belongs to the Mediterranean flora, especially to eastern Mediterranean. This site is one of the spots in the coastal mountains that are very rich in biodiversity that have an economical importance (genetic resources).

The number of endemic species is 6 including, Iris nusairiensis, Origanum bargyli, Salvia rubifolia, Malus trilobata and Daphne libonatica.

About 20 species are considered rare or endangered. Of these are Ceratonia siliqua and Acer syriacus. 

In addition, the site harbors a number of species that have an economical and ecological importance.

Olea europea var. sylvestris, Pirus syriacus, Amygdalus communis, Crataegus spp. and Malus sylvestris are among the species that have intra genetic diversity.

Agro biodiversity includes species of Trifolium (more than 10 species), Medicago , Vicia, Lathyrus and other leguminosae (Astragalus, Lens, Pisum, Onobrychis and Ononis.). A large number of graminae members exists in the site including, Triticum spp., Aegilops spp., Hordeum spp. and Avena spp…)

Medicinal plants include (Thymus syriacus, Capparis spinosa and Matricaria sp. …)

The site is very rich in ornamental and landscape species such as Iris, Tulipa, Orchis, Ophris, Cephalanthera Gladiolus, Asparagus, Fraxinus spp., Laurus nobilis, Ruscus aculeatus, Acer spp.,

Hedra helix and Spartium junceum.

On the fauna side of biodiversity, site importance are highlighted in the following points:

It is a cross road for migratory species and home for many other resident ones.

It harbors endangered species that have global and regional importance. A number of endemic and endangered species present in the site including, Syrian Serin (Serinus syriacus), Black bird (Turdus merula syriacus), Wolf) Canis lupus), Roe Deer (Cervus dama), Hyrax) Psoracia syriacus), Grey Hamster (Cricetulus migratorius cinerascens) and Tiger salamander (Salamandra salamandra).

There are 12 globally threatened species (GTS). These include, Fox (Vulpes vulpes syriacus), Wild Cat) Felis catus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Black Vulture) Aegypius monachus), Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Hoopoe (Upupa epos).

A number of globally endangered species are found including, Lasser kestrel (Falco naumanni), Striped hyena –(Hyanea hyanea), Badger (Meles meles), Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), Jay (Garrulus glandarius), Great Tit (Parus major) and Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo). The following butterflies are endangered: Parnasius apollo, Hyles hippophase and Acherontia atropos.

Rare animals too are present in the site. These include; Jackal (Canis aureus), Mongoose (Herpetc ichneman), Weasel (Mustela nivalis), Roe Deer (Caprelus caprelus), Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus).