Deserts, Drylands, and Desertification: Defining the New Normal
The 9th International Conference
September 22-26, 2024
5 days of scientific and policy sessions, workshops, and tours focusing on topics such as: Earth Observation, Ecology, Economics, Ecosystem Services, Education, Energy, Food, Health, Society and Water
General Information:
DDD2024 IS COMING!
Desertification was once an isolated concern for some regions but is accelerating at an alarming pace. What were once fertile lands are being transformed into barren expanses. Deep soil layers are becoming increasingly dryer during the growing season. This intensification is also driven by climatic changes, as well as human-induced activities such as over-farming, and unsustainable water use. The increasing frequency and severity of droughts, the degradation of soil, and the disappearance of essential water sources are no longer just episodic events; they have become our New Normal.
In the face of such rapid alterations, it becomes essential not only to understand but also to address and adapt to these changes, requiring innovative conservation methods, sustainable resource management, and habitat restoration to deal with the environmental New Normal.
For those that were at the conference or for those who missed it here is a short video of the highlights: HIGHLIGHTS DDD2022
Some sessions can be viewed on the Recordings Page
Sunday
27 November 2022
14:30-16:30
17:30-19:00
Greetings & Session: Philanthropy, SDGs and Combating Desertification
Greetings from:
- Dr. Barron Orr, Lead Scientist, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
- Prof. Shimon Rachmilevitch, BIDR, BGU, and Chair of DDD2022
- Prof. Noam Weisbrod, Director, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes For Desert Research (BIDR
19:00
Welcome Cocktail & Open Plenary Talk
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Noga Kronfeld-Schor, Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP)
Adapting to Global Change: A MoEP Perspective
Recording of Keynote -starts at 1:18:43
Monday
28 November 2022
6:30-7:30
Optional Early Morning Activity: A light morning walk
9:00-10:30
Greetings from:
- Prof. Shimon Rachmilevitch, BIDR, BGU, and Chair of DDD2022
- Prof. Noam Weisbrod, Director, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes For Desert Research
- Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, President, Ben Gurion University of the Negev
- H.E. Ambassador Samuel Thuita, Ambassador from Kenya to Israel
- Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, President, Watergen Ltd.
- Dr. Gilad Ostrovosky, Chief Forester, KKL-JNF
- Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD
Keynote Speaker:
Prof. Dorit Nitzan, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Drylands, Food Systems and Resilience
11:00-13:00
Open Campus Lunch & Poster Session
14:30-16:30
Parallel Sessions
17:00-19:00
Parallel Sessions
Tuesday
29 November 2022
6:30-7:30
Optional Early Morning Activity: A morning walk with a tour guide along the Nahal Karkash
9:00-10:00
Plenary Session –
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Osvaldo Sala, Arizona State University, USA
Effects of Climate Change on Drylands: Directional Changes in Precipitation Amount and Variability
10:30-12:30
R&D Center Sessions
Open Campus Lunch & Poster Session
14:30-16:30
Parallel Sessions
R&D Center Sessions
17:00-19:00
Parallel Sessions
20:30
Special screening of the documentary “Dead Sea Guardians” followed by a discussion with the film’s producers
Location: R & D Center
Wednesday
30 November 2022
9:00 – 18:00
Full Day Professional Field Trips and Workshops:
A description of each can be found by clicking the above link.
To register for a tour please complete the TOUR SIGN-UP FORM
NOTE: For all tours we recommend you wear closed-toe comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and bring a warm piece of clothing (as once the sun goes down it gets chilly). For the Agriculture/Dead Sea Tour we recommend you also bring a bathing suit and a towel. Water and food will be provided by the conference organizers.
– Agriculture/Dead Sea Tour
– Bedouin Arab Society in Southern Israel: Difficulties, Challenges & Opportunities
– Brackish Groundwater in the Arava Valley Region and Its Importance for Agricultural Development
– Ecohydrology in Ramon Center
– Healthy Placemaking Meets Climate Change
– Practical Methods for Rainwater Harvesting and Watershed Management in Semi-Arid and Arid Regions Tour
– Renewable Energy Management in the Negev Highland
– Viticulture: How Desertification and Climate Change Affect Wine Making
19:00
Social Event
Thursday
1 December 2022
6:30-7:30
Optional Early Morning Activity: Bird watching in Ben Gurion Park with a professional ornithologist
9:00-10:00
Plenary Session –
Keynote Speaker:
Prof. Ehud Meron, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Ecosystem Responses to Climate Change across Different Levels of Ecological Organization
10:15- 12:00
Parallel Sessions
Coffee Break
12:15-14:00
Parallel Sessions
14:15-14:45
Closing Session
Conference Venue
The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research are located at the Sede Boqer campus of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Situated at the edge of a scenic cliff overlooking the Biblical “Zin Valley” and adjacent to several spectacular national parks and nature reserves, the campus makes a breathtaking venue for an academic gathering.