American University of Beirut
Source: https://www.aub.edu.lb/natureconservation/Pages/Water-And-Life.aspx Parent: https://www.aub.edu.lb/natureconservation/Pages/default.aspx
Water & Life
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EXPLORE THE WATER & LIFE PROGRAM
Aquatic bodies, from rivers to oceans, serve as critical habitats for diverse flora and fauna; they also support all human social and economic activity (UNEP, 2024). By conserving water, we ensure the preservation of habitats and the services they generate, from clean drinking water to the freshwater fish stocks that feed millions of people (WWF, 2024). Up to 1 million species rely on freshwater habitats, and millions more (humans included), rely on food, drinking water, and services from freshwater ecosystems (IUCN, 2013). In essence, the conservation of water is integral to safeguarding the overall health and resilience of nature and all its life forms.
To advance knowledge and practices related to water, the WL program explores topics related to water availability, quality, and governance, while addressing related problems and potential solutions. The program also highlights the interconnection between water, climate change, energy, food, and ecosystems. This program emphasizes water as a fundamental pillar of all life, underscoring its role in sustaining the health of both humans and the environment.\
DISCOVER OUR PHILOSOPHY\
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WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
The objectives outlined below are achieved through a combination of awareness-raising, capacity
building—both technical and non-technical—and dedicated research and publications.\
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OUR AREAS OF ACTION\
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MEET THE PROGRAM LEAD\
Dr. Joanna Doummar is an Associate Professor of Groundwater Hydrology and
current Chairperson of the Department of Earth Sciences Department at the
American University of Beirut. She holds a PhD in Hydrogeology from Georg-August University Goettingen, an MSc in Geology from AUB, and a MSc in Hydrogeology from the University
of Neuchâtel. She is the Vice President of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) for the MENA region, a member of the IAH Karst Commission, and a 2020 World Economic Forum Young Scientist.\
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Dr. Doummar also co-founded the Local Association for Underground Studies (LAUS). Her research related to groundwater applications; notably in complex karst and fractured systems and including numerical modeling and high-resolution monitoring aim to promote hydrogeology nationally and internationally. Her work provides science-based evidence to support local water management issues and informs policy decisions.\
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UNCOVER OUR PROJECTS\ \
[• Environment Academy 2 – Baalechmay (2022 - 2023)](https://www.aub.edu.lb/natureconservation/Environment-Academy/Pages/Baalechmay.aspx)[• Test the Water - Citizen Driven Water Quality Monitoring and Remediation (2019 - 2021)](https://aub.edu.lb/natureconservation/Pages/testthewater.aspx)
[• Riparian Habitat Assessment Tool for Lebanese Rivers (RIHAT): Case Study Ibrahim River (2012)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262055344_Riparian_habitat_assessment_tool_for_Lebanese_rivers_RiHAT_Case_study_Ibrahim_River)
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LET’S EXPLORE COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES - REACH OUT TO JOIN OUR EFFORTS AND
SUPPORT OUR MISSION!\
](https://www.aub.edu.lb/natureconservation/Pages/contact.aspx)