Selected Projects
Biodiversity Digital Twin (BioDT)
BioDT

Biodiversity Digital Twin (BioDT)

The BioDT (Biodiversity Digital Twin) a three-year initiative funded by the EU Horizon Europe program, aimed at enhancing our understanding and management of biodiversity through advanced technological means. The BioDT project focuses on creating a digital twin for biodiversity, leveraging high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and data integration. It aims to provide sophisticated modeling, simulation, and prediction capabilities to better understand and manage biodiversity dynamics. The project is designed to address critical global challenges related to biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, and ecosystem services. Groups of thematic use cases test the work developed by technical partners and will address biodiversity challenges through prototype Digital Twins (pDTs). The BioDT pDTs are divided into four main groups focusing on: ► Species response to environmental change Biodiversity Dynamics Ecosystem Services ► Genetically detected biodiversity Crop wild relatives and genetic resources for food security DNA detected biodiversity in cryptic habitats ► Dynamics and threats from and for species of policy concern Invasive Species ► Species interactions with each other and with humans Pollinators Disease Outbreaks I am responsible for preparing data for and modelling the distribution of invasive alien species across Europe using joint species distribution models.

MoHaBa project: Modeling habitat Preferences baleen whales in the Southern Ocean
Baleen Whales

MoHaBa project: Modeling habitat Preferences baleen whales in the Southern Ocean

The MoHaBa project (Modellierung ganzjähriger Habitatpräferenzen von Blau-, Finn-, Zwerg- und Buckelwalen im zirkumpolaren Südozean, BMEL-Projekt; 2018-2022) was a project financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) through the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). The main objective of the MoHaBa project was to provide detailed, quantitative knowledge about the spatial and temporal distribution of baleen whales in the Southern Ocean. The project focuses on modelling the dynamic habitat suitability of four baleen whale species in the Southern Ocean using visual sightings and passive acoustics data: Antarctic Minke Whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis); Antarctic Blue Whales (B. musculus intermedia); Fin Whales (B. physalus); Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)] The main results of the project are presented in the following papers: El-Gabbas A, Thomisch K, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2023) Dynamic species distribution models of Antarctic blue whales in the Weddell Sea using visual sighting and passive acoustic monitoring data. Diversity and Distributions 30(1): 87-105. El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2021) Dynamic species distribution models in the marine realm: predicting year-round habitat suitability of baleen whales in the Southern Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science 8. El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2021) Static species distribution models in the marine realm: the case of baleen whales in the Southern Ocean. Diversity and Distributions 27(8):1536-1552. Datasets / posters Thomisch K, El-Gabbas A, Spiesecke S, Boebel O (2023) Daily acoustic presence of Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) within a 10 km radius of recording sites in the Weddell Sea, based on passive acoustic monitoring data from 2008 to 2013. PANGAEA (dataset bundle). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-Round Habitat Suitability of Baleen Whales in the Southern Ocean. Figshare (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2019) Modelling habitat suitability of whales in the Southern Ocean. World Marine Mammals Conference (WMMC), Barcelona, Spain. December 9-12, 2019. Duengen D, El-Gabbas A, Burkhardt E (2019) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) distribution modelling in the Nordic Seas & adjacent waters. World Marine Mammals Conference (WMMC), Barcelona, Spain. December 9-12, 2019. Other publications Duengen D, Burkhardt E, El-Gabbas A (2022) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) distribution modeling on their Nordic and Barents Seas feeding grounds. Marine Mammal Science 38(4):1583-1608. Schall E, Thomisch K, Boebel O, Gerlach G, Woods SM, El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I (2021) Multi-year presence of humpback whales in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean but not during El Niño. Nature Communications Biology 4, Article number: 790.

BioMap project
Egypt

BioMap project

The Egyptian BioMap project (Biodiversity monitoring and assessment project; 2004-2008), funded by the Italian Cooperation in Egypt and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was an initiative aimed at documenting and preserving the biodiversity of Egypt. The project was led by Prof. Samy Zalat and Prof. Francis Gilbert. Read more. Overall, the Egyptian BioMap project sought to create a foundational resource for conserving Egypt’s rich biodiversity and to promote sustainable environmental practices through data-driven approaches and collaboration among various stakeholders. The key objectives and activities of the project included: Biodiversity Documentation: The primary goal was to create a comprehensive database of Egypt’s biological diversity, including flora and fauna across various ecosystems, from which a stream of publications has resulted aimed at improving the scientific basis of conservation decision-making in Egypt, including the impact of climate change. The project utilized GIS technology to map and analyze the distribution of species and habitats, providing a spatial understanding of biodiversity patterns. Conservation Planning: By identifying critical areas for conservation, the BioMap project aimed to support the creation and management of protected areas to preserve threatened species and habitats. Capacity Building, Public Awareness and Education: Training programs and workshops were conducted to enhance the skills of local scientists, researchers, and conservationists in biodiversity monitoring and data management. The project also focused on raising public awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation through educational campaigns and community engagement. After my undergraduate studies, I joined BioMAP project as an ecologist forcusing mainly on modelling the distribution of Egyptian fauna and flora using species distribution models. I contributed to the following publications: Gilbert F & Zalat S (2008) Butterflies of Egypt: Atlas, Red Data listing & Conservation. Illustrated by Ahmed Gheith. BioMAP, EEAA, Cairo. 196 pp. Newbold T, Reader T, Zalat S, El-Gabbas A & Gilbert F. (2009) Climate-based models of spatial patterns of species richness in Egypt’s butterfly and mammal fauna. Journal of Biogeography 36: 2085-95. Newbold T, Reader T, Zalat S, El-Gabbas A & Gilbert F. (2009) Effect of characteristics of butterfly species on the accuracy of distribution models in an arid environment. Biodiversity & Conservation 18: 3629-41. Brading P, El-Gabbass A, Zalat S & Gilbert F. (2009) Biodiversity economics: the value of pollination services to Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Biology 11: 45-51. Newbold T, Reader T, El-Gabbas A, Berg W, Shohdi WM, Zalat S, Baha El Din S & Gilbert F. (2010) Testing the accuracy of species distribution models using species records from a new field survey. Oikos 119: 1326-34. Basuony M, Gilbert F & Zalat S (2010) Mammals of Egypt: Atlas, Red Data listing & Conservation. Illustrated by Ahmed Gheith. BioMAP & CultNat, EEAA & Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Cairo. 286 pp.