QU marks International Day for Biological Diversity

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (DBES) at Qatar University (QU) has marked the International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding of the importance of maintaining the environment's balance and achieving sustainable development goals, particularly after raising global factors such as climate change, pollution and overexploitation of natural resources as the causes of biodiversity loss.

Prof Mohamed Abu-Dieyeh

Many scientists around the world, including those from the DBES at Qatar University, are focusing on inventions and studies to find the best way to conserve biological diversity. Prof Mohamed Abu-Dieyeh, acting department head at Biological and Environmental Sciences, emphasised QU's position in preserving natural resources. "The mission of QU is to promote any science, academic programmes, courses and scientific activities that preserve living and non-living natural resources," he said. Despite the fact that the campus is being increasingly urbanised, QU is one of few universities that allocate large land areas on the campus as natural protected areas, the university has said in a statement.

Prof Mohamed al-Ghouti

Prof Mohamed al-Ghouti, professor of Environmental Sciences, said: “Qatar's national biodiversity policy seeks to foster biological diversity protection and environmental balance, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources and equitable distribution of biodiversity benefits. Excessive use of natural resources is one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss around the world, as it wastes natural resources and threatens the environment.”"Qatartarget="_blank"'>