Over 1,058 plant species have been identified in the reserve, accounting for nearly 40% of all native plant species in Lebanon, though the reserve represents less than 0.1% of the total area of Lebanon. The forests form a unique assemblage of conifers, deciduous, and evergreen broadleaf trees in an isolated climatic phytochorion with a highly varied topography.
Flora
1,020 species of native plants and 39 species of native trees have been identified. Seventy species use "Lebanon" in their names, such as Cedrus libani, Salix libanii, and Berberis libanotica. Twenty-two other species carry names significant to Lebanon, such as Dianthus karami (after Youssef Bey Karam, a 19th-century national figure), and Astragalus ehdenensis (after the village of Ehden). A total of 212 (20%) species are rare and another 126 (12%) are considered threatened; 115 are endemic to Lebanon, and ten are endemic to Horsh Ehden. Seventy-eight species are recognized as medicinal plants. The reserve is also considered the southernmost limit to Cilician fir (Abies cilicica).
Plant communities
The forest plant communities of highest conservation importance are:
Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa), which is a gene pool for possible reforestation projects at higher altitude including the peaks of Mount Lebanon above 2000 m.
Thirteen species are globally threatened, one species is locally threatened and highly endangered (the gray wolf, Canis lupus), and one species is endemic to the reserve (the lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens).
The reserve has many different bird habitats. Four of the identified bird species are globally threatened, five are regionally vulnerable, eighteen face unfavorable conditions in Europe, and fifty-seven are rare in Lebanon.
There are four species of amphibians and nineteen species of reptiles. One species (Mediterranean chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon) is globally threatened, one subspecies is unique, and nineteen species are threatened in Lebanon.
Cultural heritage and Activities [consider deleting this section as promotional]
When to visit: Autumn and spring are the most temperate seasons for hiking. October is the best month for autumnal colors, and April to May are the best months to see the reserve in bloom.
Recreational activities: Bird watching, hiking, mountain biking and photography are possible throughout the year. The reserve has a camp offering outdoor educational activities for children during the week and for adults on the weekend. Activities depend on the season and vary from year-to-year.Файл:Ehden, overview.jpgView to Ehden from a nearby mountain.Файл:Cafe ehden.jpgStreet café in Ehden.
Archaeological sites: There are no archaeological sites inside the reserve. However, the village of Ehden has historical churches and monasteries, as well as the old souk (market place) in the historic area. The Church of St. Mamas (Mar Memas) is the first Maronite church constructed with stones in Lebanon.
Other nearby activities: Nearby villages include Ehden. The Cathedral of the Lady of the Citadel (Saydet Al-Hosn), a modern church in the shape of a star and located on a summit, offers a panoramic view of north Lebanon. Al-Midan, Ehden's historic souk characterized by traditional Lebanese architecture has cafés, patisseries and restaurants.
