Biography:

Positions:

Principal Research Scientist (2021-present) on Sabbatical Leave from 2021-2023.
Director General/Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR 2016-2021).
Program Director, Management and Supervision of Kuwait Environmental Remediation Program, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR 2011-2014).
Division Director/Food Resources and Marine Sciences Division (KISR 2000-2010). Department Manager/Agro-production Department (KISR 1986-1988).
Project Leader (since 1981) /Principal Research Scientist (Grade 20-since 2010.

Work Experience

Research & Development (R&D) managerial and technical experience in conservation and sustainable development of renewable natural resources.
Led and managed 27 contractual research projects.
Advisor and consultant to many local, regional, and international organizations. United Nations consulting work experience on environment and agriculture (UNDP, UNEP, UNCC, IUCN, ACSAD, ICARDA).

Abstract:

The consequences of climate change on biodiversity have led many world organizations to establish strategic plans, such as The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which was adopted in 2002 by the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and more recently Unted States Agency for International Development (USAID) 2021 Climate Strategy, which will guide the Agencys efforts to target climate change resources strategy. There is an urgent need for accessible information on the likely impacts of climate change on biodiversity. It is also critical to analyze its possible benefits and risks to biodiversity and ecosystem services. The biodiversity of arid regions, such as Kuwait, is under severe stress due to natural and anthropogenic factors. The region is also threatened physically and biologically by the Global warming phenomena. More severe and harsh climatic conditions will cause increase in formation of sand dunes, sand encroachment and extreme dust storms. In 2021, Kuwait reported increase in intensity and frequency of dust storms. Drought will cause more water demand for local consumption and irrigation. The sea water temperature increase would affect the spawning period of fish and shrimp and will cause migration of fish to other more suitable areas. This will cause severe impact on the fish industry in Kuwait and the region. Losses in plant cover will be due to sand encroachment or erratic rainfall periods causing runoff and flooding. The United Nations declared the decade of Ecological Restoration (2020-2030). It aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change, and prevent a mass extinction. The UN called everyone to plan a part of ecosystem restoration. There is a need to develop a strategic plan for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the region including ecosystem restoration/rehabilitation. Specific elements of the plan would include research for identification of vulnerable species; conducting modeling research to inform conservation programs; monitoring key species; ex-situ conservation using living collection and ensuring representation in conservation collection; in-situ conservation and increase in protected areas; restoration of degraded ecosystems; policies issuing; adaptation and mitigation measures; education and public awareness programs, as well as networking and sharing knowledge.