Qatar’s commitment to biodiversity preservation aligns with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), manifested in its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). However, unique Qatari native plants are facing threats from human activity and increased development and land-use changes. With approximately 420 plant species, Qatar established a gene bank conducting ecogeographical surveys, conserving Qatari plant genetic resources, and creating an integrated database. This resource facilitates studies. The Qatar gene bank Conservation project aligns with national strategies and focuses on plant and seed conservation, genetic characterization, capacity building, resource documentation, raising awareness of plant genetic resources, and restoration of rare and important plants in Qatar. The gene bank holds 1038 seed accessions, herbarium specimens, and genetic characterizations, with field gene banks in development. The workshops and training courses promoted access to genetic resources and ensured the sustainability of Qatari genetic resources. Seed banks, with over 1750 worldwide, serve as vital tools for preserving plant genetic resources (PGR). These ex-situ seed banks significantly enhance conservation efforts. They contribute to habitat restoration by providing germplasm, data, specialized knowledge, and facilities. Climate change impacts Qatar’s biodiversity, affecting native species’ distribution and abundance, exacerbated by the invasive Prosopis juliflora. This study of Prosopis Cineraria trees in Qatar, collecting, conserving seeds in the Qatar gene bank and and restoration of wild habitats. Three sites were studied for natural P. cineraria distribution, with international standards applied to conservation methods, including seed banks, DNA banks, and herbariums. Results reveal P. cineraria in three main sites with varying degrees of endangerment. High-quality seeds with a 98% germination rate were collected from one site, while long-term monitoring highlighted a decline in native species and rapid growth of the invasive P. juliflora. The gene bank’s critical role in preserving and documenting Qatar’s plant genetic resources contributes to ecosystem and biodiversity conservation, exemplified by the unique Prosopis cineraria case study.
Biography
Dr. Elsayed Mohamed Elazazi is a distinguished Plant Eco-physiologist and Ecologist with over twenty years of experience in the domain. He has notably conducted terrestrial ecological surveys, delved deep into the study of plant ecology, and played a pivotal role in conserving plant genetic resources in gene banks.
His remarkable contributions span across multiple projects aimed at conserving plant genetic resources and furthering food security initiatives. These include assessing plant genetic resources for agricultural objectives and endorsing natural farming methods. A significant aspect of his work also includes the active application of biochar to foster sustainable food production.
Dr. Elazazi’s academic laurels encompass a PhD focused on seed conservation in gene banks. His research extensively covered the ecological surveys and studies on Acacia species native to the Egyptian deserts and their subsequent conservation in gene banks. Additionally, he holds an M.Sc. emphasizing the impact of varied preservation periods and conditions in gene banks on the seed viability of certain wild flora.
From 2003 onwards, Dr. Elazazi has been an integral part of the Egyptian Deserts Gene Bank – Desert Research Center. There, he has dedicated his vast expertise towards the conservation of plant genetic resources. In 2012, he embraced a role in Qatar as a Plant Genetic Resources Expert. This role marked his significant contribution to the inception of the gene bank and herbarium, encompassing activities such as surveys, collection, conservation, seed viability assessments, monitoring, and meticulous database documentation.
He boasts profound knowledge about wild plants, particularly their germination processes, techniques to surmount seed dormancy, insights into seeds storage behavior, and adeptness in seedling production.
Dr. Elazazi harbors a deep-rooted passion for conserving plant diversity and fervently contributes to the evolution of sustainable agricultural methodologies. His comprehensive experience and profound knowledge in plant eco-physiology, gene bank management, and ecological surveys have unequivocally positioned him as a leader in his field.