As part of the scientific activities conducted by our center, and with the support and guidance of the administration, the Workshops and Seminars Committee organized, in collaboration with Student Affairs, a workshop titled “The Negative Effects of Invasive Alien Plants on the Iraqi Natural Environment” on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The lecture was managed by Assistant Lecturer Ali Kamel Wanas and delivered by Assistant Professor Dr. Hana Hani Al-Saffar to commemorate the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
During the lecture, Dr. Al-Saffar discussed the natural characteristics that make certain plant species invasive, how they spread, and their impact on the surrounding environment. The goals of the lecture included:
1. Identifying alien plant species in the Iraqi environment by:
– Diagnosing plants and determining their scientific names using various resources, including:
– The Iraqi National Herbarium and research centers
– The Iraqi Botanical Encyclopedia
– Electronic applications verified by specialists or scientific centers
2. Classifying plants as either Indigenous or alien based on:
– The Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (2018)
– The Iraqi Botanical Encyclopedia
– The British Royal Botanic Gardens website (Kew Gardens)
– The Iraqi National Herbarium
– Relevant studies and research
The workshop concluded with several recommendations:
1. Conducting studies and experiments before introducing any proposed alien plant into the Iraqi environment.
2. Collect data on the numbers and locations of invasive alien plant species and develop a strategy to combat their spread.
3. Collaborating with international environmental organizations and neighboring countries to create a global and regional plan to control species transfer.
We wish all our center’s educators success in serving society, science, and knowledge.