Dr. Soufiane Haddout
Ibn Tofail University, Morocco
Title: Ecosystem Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Challenges, Adaptation, and Policy Interventions
Abstract:
Climate change significantly impacts ecosystems, altering species distributions, phenology, and ecosystem functions. Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise disrupt biodiversity and degrade key ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, water regulation, and food provision. These changes threaten ecosystem resilience and have direct implications for human well-being. Ecosystems have natural adaptive mechanisms, such as species migration and phenological shifts, but the rapid pace of climate change often outstrips these capacities, particularly in vulnerable ecosystems like coral reefs, Arctic tundra, and tropical forests. This leads to increased extinction risks and the collapse of ecological networks.
Adaptation and conservation strategies, including habitat restoration, ecological corridors, and nature-based solutions like wetland restoration, can enhance ecosystem resilience and provide co-benefits, such as flood protection and carbon storage. Effective policy interventions, such as the Paris Agreement and national conservation measures, are crucial for supporting these efforts. This study underscores the importance of integrated approaches that combine scientific research, policy frameworks, and community involvement to bolster ecosystem resilience. By promoting sustainable management and conservation, we can mitigate climate change impacts, preserve biodiversity, and safeguard the essential services ecosystems provide.
Biography:
Dr. S. Haddout is researcher in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco. To date, he is the author of 3 books, 2 submitted books, published more than 60 refereed journal articles with 40 refereed articles as the first; is involved in collaborative research with 22 universities/institutions worldwide; expert reviewer with AEIC-Academic Exchange Information Centre (China); and reviewer for many project proposals from international universities; received more than 100 certificates from international conference and renowned journals; Keynote/invited speaker for many international conferences; and Technical Committee member in various conferences. Award-2020, 2021 and 2022: Best Research Awards (i.e., Thermodynamic in estuaries; and Water shortages and pandemics in Africa, and Bi-variate and CM plotting of the Sediment Dynamic Process in the estuaries)-International Research Awards, Iceat conference…etc. Co-Chair of the scientific session of the International Conference of Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation USA; Lead-Chair of the 1st and 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Ocean Renewable Energy (CCORE 2022-2023); Coordinator of the: (a) 1st International Round Table Webinar on “A Multi-criteria decision making tool for the management of water bodies in developing countries towards climate change resilience (2022)”; (b) and 2nd International Roundtable Webinar on “Microplastic and Nanoplastic Pollution in Different Environments: Freshwater, Marine, Air and Soil”(2023). Chair of the scientific session of the 16th International Conference on Computer and Electrical Engineering (ICCEE 2023) and is a Guest Editor of Regional Studies in Marine Science, Journal of Environmental Management, Elsevier and active reviewer of reputed journals of Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Springer, Wiley, Sage, MDPI, Nature…etc.