This volume is the outcome of an international cooperation between 73 scientists, experts, and practitioners from many countries, disciplines, and professional areas. As a part of a series of CERES publications, the volume attempts to contribute to the scientific debate about the food-biodiversity-climate nexus by developing a comprehensive region-specific and broader global understanding of the linkages between these areas, especially in the context of Global South. Instead of providing only modern science-based solutions for the nexus related challenges, the volume covers case studies that present mixed solutions, offering the use of traditional ecological knowledge in combination with modern science for both resilience and sustainability. This is increasingly instrumental in shaping the needed response options regarding the economic, social, and environmental future of the world. Based on a multi-regional and cross-sectoral analysis, the approach consists of: assessing the different natural and anthropogenic factors currently affecting ecosystems and their services, especially the impacts of climate change; highlighting the different linkages between the state of biodiversity and food systems in many contexts and scales; and exploring the various response mechanisms to effectively manage the implications of such linkages. Most chapters provide inputs for future relevant research and policy agendas.
Dr. Behnassi is a Senior Environmentalist Expert, The Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), Rabat, Morocco. From 2004 to June 2022, he was Professor at the College of Law, Economics, and Social Sciences of Agadir. He holds a PhD in International Environmental Law and Governance (2003) and a Diploma in International Environmental Law and Diplomacy (University of Eastern Finland and UNEP, 2015). He is the Director of the Center for Environment, Human Security and Governance (CERES). Recently, he was appointed as Expert Evaluator by the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST/Morocco), Scoping Expert/Review Editor by the IPBES, and Lead Author and Coordinating Lead Author by MEDECC. His main expertise areas include international law and politics of environment and human security. He published extensively and organized many international conferences covering the above research areas, managed many research and expertise projects, and is regularly requested to provide scientific expertise nationally and internationally.
Dr. Himangana Gupta is Manager, Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration Program at WRI, New Delhi, India. She was a Visiting Research Fellow at UN University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo and a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) at UNU-IAS and the University of Tokyo, Japan, from 2019-2021. During her tenure, she worked on climate, biodiversity and community nexus in socio-ecological production landscapes. From 2016-2019, she was Programme Officer in the GEF- GoI-UNDP National Communications Project in the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Dr. Gupta received her Ph.D. degree in Environment Science from Panjab University, Chandigarh, in 2015.
Dr. Mirza Barjees Baig is a Professor at the Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water, and Desert Research, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. He has a Ph.D. in Extension for Natural Resource Management from the University of Idaho, USA. Dr. Baig has published extensively on the issues related to food waste, water management, degradation of natural resources, deteriorating environment, and their relationship with society/community.
Dr. Noorka is Associate Professor, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Sargodh, Pakistan. Due to his outstanding performance, he served as a member of the scientific & organizing committees of many national and international conferences. He presented his research throughout the world. His credit includes, recognized International scientist status by publishing his research in well reputed national and International Journals (172), including 13 Chapters in Springer, Taylor and Francis, popular articles (>100), keynote speaker and innovative thinker with the practical solutions-oriented outlook, project collaborator with University-Industry linkage programs, radio and TV anchorperson. He is distinguished by his effective coordination, managerial, and administrative skills.