Under the guidance of Center Director, Assistant Professor Dr. Hana Hani Al-Saffar, the center’s workshops and seminars committee organized a workshop on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, titled “Monitoring Alien, Strange, and Invasive Species in the Iraqi Environment.” Led by Assistant Professor Ali Kamel Wanas, the workshop featured presentations by Professor Dr. Razzaq Shaalan Augul, Assistant Professor Dr. Hana Hani Al-Saffar, and Assistant Professor Shatha Abdul Latif.
The presenters discussed the negative impacts of climate change on biodiversity, particularly the expansion of habitats suitable for invasive or alien species. These species, displaced from their original environments due to climate change or other factors, migrate in search of resources and shelter. The workshop aimed to identify scientific and legal methods for monitoring these invasive species and emphasized the crucial educational role of research centers in preventing their trade and reproduction due to their detrimental effects on the environment, health, and local economies. The importance of protecting local species to combat the threats posed by these invasive species was also highlighted.
The workshop concluded with the following recommendations:
* Enforce existing laws that protect biodiversity from invasive species.
* Increase monitoring of animal and plant markets to prevent the sale and reproduction of invasive species.
* Implement management and utilization strategies for previously introduced invasive species to control their populations and minimize their impact.
* Conduct research on controlling invasive species using modern scientific techniques.
* Prohibit the breeding or cultivation of invasive species for economic or commercial purposes.
* Promote the breeding and cultivation of local species to ensure their sustainability and reduce the threat from invasive species.
* Establish gene banks within research institutions to preserve indigenous local species, especially those facing extinction.