Qatar University (QU) is directing an innovative research project aimed at improving the sustainability of food and water security in arid regions. Dr. Ammar Abulibdeh, an Associate Professor of Geography and GIS at the College of Arts and Sciences at QU, leads the research team focused on developing a comprehensive model to interconnect food, water, and ecosystems in Qatar.

The sustainability of water and food security is a critical challenge in arid and semi-arid regions, which cover 25.8% of the earth's land area and where over 400 million people live. These regions face significant vulnerabilities due to scarce natural resources, low agricultural productivity, and disproportionate population growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the fragility of food security in these areas, emphasizing the need for improved local agricultural production. Therefore, most Arab countries in the arid region have begun to pay more attention to improving local agricultural production by exploring new strategies.

Dr. Abulibdeh's research aims to enhance the local ecosystem in Qatar by combating desertification and promoting biodiversity among local plants. This strategy is crucial for improving food security and water sustainability, as desertification significantly affects natural grazing and green water availability. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar, fodder production is essential for livestock nutrition. Sustainable natural grazing can reduce water consumption for growing green fodder, thereby alleviating pressure on intensive fodder production and making more farmland available for other crops.

The project also investigates the advantages of revegetating grazing land to enhance water sustainability. Previous studies have clearly shown that the main features of arid ecosystems are limited precipitation events, high temperatures, and variations in seasonal precipitation events. Supplemental irrigation is necessary to restore natural vegetation in pastures, but native plants require much less water compared to planted fodder. The research will determine the optimal months for watering local plants to maximize water savings.

To achieve its goals, the research team is developing a holistic model to assess the possibility of improving native plants suitable for grazing, thereby enhancing water sustainability and food security in the “water, food, and ecosystem (FWEco) nexus." This model considers the interconnections between water, pastures, livestock, and fodder production and incorporates climate change impacts to provide sustainable strategies for Qatar. The research involves field experiments and spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing techniques to create a comprehensive quantitative characterization of Qatar's ecosystems.

The study is structured into six phases:

Phase 1: Understanding the relationship between plant cover/growth (vegetation) and climate changes: this phase will integrate 30 years of meteorological data and remote sensing to analyze the precipitation patterns and water needs of desert plants in Qatar's natural reserves using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).

Phase 2: Probability and return period of optimal precipitation events: This phase will determine the probability of future optimal precipitation conditions for local desert plants through modeling.

Phase 3: Analyzing changes in droughts during the past fifty years: Classify and analyze the severity of monthly droughts from 1983 to 2022 using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to understand their impact on desert vegetation.

Phase 4: Identifying the impact of climate change on soil humidity and native vegetation growth: Develop a water balance model and conduct field experiments using drones to monitor soil humidity and vegetation growth in Qatar's natural reserves.

Phase 5: Selecting appropriate habitats in Qatar for different native plant communities: Identify suitable habitats for local perennial plants by combining remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems, and analysis of climate, soil type, and altitude.

Phase 6: Developing a comprehensive approach for “the interconnection between Food, Water and Ecosystem (FWEco)” This phase aims to provide sustainable future practices and priorities for the State of Qatar.

The results from these phases will offer a clear ecological description of Qatar's natural ecosystems, enabling the team to use this data to develop scenarios for optimal pasture sites to improve water sustainability and food security by using 10%, 20%, and 30% of Qatar’s land as controlled natural grazing pastures. The research seeks to answer fundamental questions about the feasibility of substituting fodder production with natural grazing and the sustainability of using supplementary irrigation for native plants in Qatar.

This groundbreaking research project by QU holds the promise of significantly enhancing the sustainability of food and water security in arid regions, setting a benchmark for similar initiatives worldwide.