Biodiversity Research Unit

An-Najah National University envisions the unit as an invaluable resource in the conservation of biodiversity in all its aspects. Its primary focus is to develop practical scientific solutions to the challenges and obstacles encountered within this crucial sector. By engaging in applied scientific research activities and raising community awareness, the unit aims to foster collaboration and synergy towards achieving our collective objectives.

The unit's activities encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at biodiversity conservation and raising awareness. These activities include:

• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity in Palestine, defining its various components, and documenting its current status
• Developing and maintaining an ethno-botanical website, Flora Palestine, to preserve and disseminate traditional and historical knowledge about local plants. The website will serve as a valuable resource for the public
• Evaluating the economic potential of Flora Palaestina plants based on their traditional use in vegetarian practices, contributing to sustainable economic development
• Creating educational materials that cater to different stakeholders, providing information and classification of diverse wild plant species
• Establishing a website that showcases wild plant species through photographs taken in their natural habitats. Additionally, macroscopic photographs of crucial taxonomic plant parts will aid in their identification and classification
• Identifying wild medicinal plants as potential alternatives to therapeutic drugs, promoting natural and sustainable healthcare practices
• Identifying wild plants that can be used as alternative food sources, promoting food security and sustainable agriculture
• Conserving the genetic diversity of selected wild species from Flora Palaestina through ex-situ cultivation sites, focusing on species with significant economic potential
• Enhancing the An-Najah National University herbarium by collecting and documenting samples of wild plants in Palestine, making them accessible through the herbarium's website
• Developing and implementing awareness programs targeting various sectors and groups within Palestinian society to highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation and the mechanisms involved in its preservation
• Organizing training courses and workshops to foster cooperation among governmental and private institutions and sectors. These events will focus on data renewal and updates related to biodiversity, identifying threats, and finding effective solutions
• Seeking material and logistical support from local and external supporters to establish diverse biodiversity-related projects and achieve desired goals
• Documenting all elements of biodiversity in Palestine comprehensively, creating a valuable repository of information at all levels
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The unit engages in several impactful activities to promote biodiversity preservation. These activities include:

• Facilitating workshops and inviting experts and stakeholders from various fields to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange on biodiversity conservation
• Organizing visits to schools of different age groups, delivering educational sessions to raise awareness among the younger generation about the significance of biodiversity. These visits aim to introduce students to the components of biodiversity and ways to actively preserve it
• Hosting on-campus exhibitions that cater to individuals interested in the field of biodiversity. These exhibitions provide a platform for showcasing the importance of biodiversity and its conservation efforts
• Actively seeking financial support to implement projects centered around biodiversity preservation. These initiatives aim to identify problems and threats specific to Palestine's biodiversity and develop effective solutions to mitigate them