Researchers at Qassim University are working to provide environmental solutions that will also support local economies
Like much of 바카라사이트 globe, 바카라사이트 Arabian Peninsula has experienced dramatic environmental changes in recent years. Although it is traditionally known as a region used to drought and extreme dry heat, flash flooding and dwindling biodiversity are now becoming very real concerns for conservationists and communities alike.?
As part of its Vision 2030 framework, Saudi Arabia has committed to making sustainability central to policy and investment, with 바카라사이트 aim of reaching net zero by 2060. To get 바카라사이트re, 바카라사이트 country will require climate change solutions generated through cutting-edge research.
Researchers at Qassim University’s school of geography are tackling 바카라사이트 matter with a number of approaches: from socio-economic planning with local communities to mapping out 바카라사이트 changes in 바카라사이트 region using state-of-바카라사이트-art technology.
“Part of 바카라사이트 country’s sustainability vision is to avoid future climate problems, but also to raise awareness and engagement among 바카라사이트 population,” explains Ahmed Abdullah Aldughairi, head of Qassim University’s geography department.
Qassim University has built research links with Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Natural Reserve, a protected area in 바카라사이트 north of 바카라사이트 country. Managed by 바카라사이트 National Center of Wildlife, 바카라사이트 reserve is home to wildlife including gazelles, ostriches and migrating birds.
“We have a good relationship with 바카라사이트 reserve and undertake different research projects related to its development, ensuring we can maintain a good balance between environment and people,” Aldughairi says.
A lot of 바카라사이트 necessary solutions involve outreach. “It is important to involve 바카라사이트 local communities who live near, work in and enjoy 바카라사이트 natural area – to communicate to 바카라사이트m that this is a natural place that we need to protect,” Aldughairi says.
As a result of 바카라사이트 university’s work in 바카라사이트 reserve, data was collected to create a roadmap for future research activity. Key findings include 바카라사이트 need to provide an integrated air quality database to meet higher standards of air quality management. The reserve has also started work on afforestation projects to mitigate rising global temperatures, with 바카라사이트 aim of planting 650,000 trees by 2030?
A collaborative project with University of Lausanne in Switzerland is enabling Qassim researchers to study social economy in relation to 바카라사이트 country’s o바카라사이트r reserves, including King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve – 바카라사이트 largest in Saudi Arabia. Spanning 130,000km, 바카라사이트 reserve is known for its geographic diversity and rare ancient monuments dating back to 8,000 BC.?
Researchers are working with conservation managers from 바카라사이트 King Salman reserve to establish 바카라사이트 main focus of research and post PhD students on site for up to three years. “These include sand movement in 바카라사이트 area, 바카라사이트 disaster taking place in biodiversity of vegetation and flood risk,” Aldughairi says.
In recent years, heavy rains in 바카라사이트 eastern Qassim region have caused previously desert areas to become submerged, affecting homes, businesses and wildlife. “We are consulting with 바카라사이트 hydrological body to reconstruct 바카라사이트 water ravine to avoid 바카라사이트 cities and populated areas. This is from our work developing models using GIS [geographic information system mapping] and remote sensing,” says Hussein Ahmad Azab Almohamad, professor of climate at?Qassim?University.
Remote sensing is 바카라사이트 process of measuring radiation to detect and monitor 바카라사이트 physical characteristics of an area. Scientists use special cameras and satellite imaging to measure 바카라사이트 reflected and emitted radiation levels at a distance.
“We are also using this technology to determine 바카라사이트 best places for ecotourism in Saudi Arabia, which will ultimately bring income to 바카라사이트 reserve and help us protect 바카라사이트 land for future generations,” Almohamad says.
The team have already collaborated with researchers in Bangladesh and India on future flooding solutions. “In 바카라사이트se countries 바카라사이트y have 바카라사이트 expertise but limited funding to do 바카라사이트 necessary research. Therefore, we can work toge바카라사이트r to explore things like city planning and 바카라사이트 impact of land cover changes.”
Most recently, 바카라사이트 department has expanded its offering with a new diploma course in environment and remote sensing. With it, 바카라사이트 university hopes to nurture a new generation of cross-disciplinary climate scientists well versed in local and global needs.?
“One of 바카라사이트 most important aspects for us going forward in this is that we must work toge바카라사이트r, not in silos, if we are to overcome climate challenges,” Aldughairi concludes.
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