Climate Resilience in Agriculture and Biodiversity (CRAB)

Objectives

The Climate Resilience in Agriculture and Biodiversity research group is a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of experts dedicated to advancing knowledge and solutions at the intersection of agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. Our group aims to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change to agricultural systems and biodiversity, while promoting sustainable and resilient practices that support food security, ecosystem health, and human well-being.

Mission and Vision

Mission: To generate cutting-edge research, foster collaboration, and develop evidence-based solutions that promote climate resilience in agriculture and biodiversity. Through our work, we aim to drive the adoption of sustainable practices, inform policy recommendations, and knowledge dissemination for the benefit of ecosystems, farmers, and communities worldwide.
Vision: Our vision is to create a future where agricultural systems and biodiversity thrive amid climate change challenges. We envision resilient agricultural practices that ensure food security, protect ecosystem integrity, and conserve biodiversity, while contributing to sustainable development goals. By integrating interdisciplinary research, we aim to inform decision-making processes, empower stakeholders, and drive positive change at local, regional, and global levels.

Values

Collaboration: Emphasizing the value of collaboration and teamwork, fostering an inclusive and cooperative environment where experts from various disciplines work together to address complex challenges.

Sustainability: Promoting sustainable practices in agriculture and biodiversity conservation, considering the long-term ecological, social, and economic impacts of research findings and solutions.

Innovation: Encouraging innovative thinking and approaches to develop novel solutions for climate resilience in agriculture and biodiversity, embracing creativity and exploration of new ideas.

Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, and transparency in research methodologies, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Knowledge Sharing: Valuing the open exchange of knowledge, insights, and research findings both within the research group and with external stakeholders, contributing to the collective understanding of climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

Impact-driven: Focusing on generating practical and actionable outcomes that have real-world applications and contribute to positive change in agricultural systems, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement: Recognizing the importance of engaging with stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, local communities, and industry partners, to ensure research outcomes are aligned with their needs, perspectives, and priorities.

Interdisciplinary Approach: Embracing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, by bringing together experts from diverse fields, such as biology, ecology, agronomy, climatology, social sciences, and policy. This holistic approach enables comprehensive solutions to complex challenges.

Equity and Social Justice: Ensuring that research efforts consider the social and economic dimensions of climate resilience in agriculture and biodiversity, striving for equitable outcomes and addressing issues of social justice.

Continuous Learning: Fostering a culture of lifelong learning, recognizing the iterative nature of research, and embracing opportunities for growth, improvement, and adaptation in response to new knowledge and emerging challenges.

These values can serve as guiding principles for CRAB, helping to shape its culture, decision-making processes, and overall impact on the fields of climate resilience, agriculture, and biodiversity.

Impact

The Climate Resilience in Agriculture and Biodiversity research group aims to have a profound impact on various levels:
Scientific Impact: By generating high-quality research, our group contributes to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the complex interactions between climate change, agriculture, and biodiversity, thereby influencing scientific discourse and shaping future research directions.
Policy Impact: Through evidence-based recommendations and engagement with policymakers, our group aims to influence policy decisions and frameworks, promoting the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices, biodiversity conservation measures, and sustainable land management policies.
Community Impact: By developing and disseminating sustainable agricultural practices, we aim to enhance food security, increase community resilience, improve farmers' livelihoods, and foster sustainable development in vulnerable regions affected by climate change.
Environmental Impact: Our efforts to protect and restore biodiversity, promote sustainable land use, and mitigate climate change impacts in agricultural systems contribute to the preservation and restoration of ecosystems, enhancing their resilience and long-term sustainability.

Collaborators

Researchers:
- Carla Khater, PhD, CNRS
- Yusuf Abou Jawdeh, PhD, AUB
- Lara Hanna, PhD, USEK
- Nelly Arnold Apostolides, PhD, USEK
- Charbel Al Khoury, PhD, LAU
- Georges Nemer, PhD, HBKU (Qatar)
- Mira Boustani, PhD, UMONS (Belgium), GRETIA (France)
- Chantal Abou Jawdeh, PhD, USEK
- Nathalie Estephan, PhD, USEK
- Christian Kareh, PhD, USEK
- Charbel El Tawil, PhD, RMF
- Rola Aad, PhD, Lebanese University
- Nizar Hani, PhD, USEK, Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve
- Hana Sobh, MSc, AUB

Graduate Students:
- Vera Kheir, PhD student, USEK
- Marianne Fahd, PhD student, USEK

Associated Members from Nature Reserves:
- Challita Tanios, Ag. Eng., Tannour We Nour NGO
- Sandra Saba, Ag. Eng., Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve
- Raymond Khoury, Ag. Eng., Bentael Nature Reserve
- Ramy Khashab, MSc, Reptile Expert
- Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve Committee

For more information, please contact: nabilnemer@usek.edu.lb