Dr. Saeed Abbas

Next Five-Year Research Interest (2026–2031) Over the next five years, my research supervision will focus on advancing cutting-edge, policy-relevant ecological science and applied conservation in Pakistan’s mountain, wetland, and rangeland ecosystems. My overarching research agenda will generate actionable knowledge that strengthens biodiversity conservation, enhances climate resilience, and integrates science with community-based natural resource governance. The following thematic priorities will guide the PhD, MS, and graduate-level research I supervise. ________________________________________ 1. Biodiversity Assessment, Monitoring & Red Listing I will lead research on the taxonomy, population ecology, distribution, and threat assessments of Pakistan’s key species and ecosystems using internationally recognised frameworks such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE). Key research foci: • Population ecology and viability analysis of mountain ungulates (Markhor, Ibex, Ladakh Urial), apex predators (Snow Leopard, Wolf, Lynx), and keystone carnivores. • Camera trapping, SECR modelling, double-observer surveys, occupancy modelling, and bioacoustics monitoring. • RLE assessments for high-altitude wetlands, floodplain wetlands, juniper forests, rangelands, and glacial foreland ecosystems. • Integrating trait-based ecology, spatial connectivity, and climate risk into Red List assessments. ________________________________________ 2. Climate Change Ecology & Mountain Socio-Ecological Systems I will supervise research analyzing how climate change alters ecological processes, species distributions, ecosystem functioning, and community well-being in northern Pakistan. Key research foci: • Species distribution modelling (MaxEnt, ensemble SDMs, Random Forest, BRT) under multiple climate scenarios. • Climate impacts on waterbird phenology, pollination networks, range shifts of mountain fauna, and vegetation dynamics. • Climate-resilient water governance, GLOF impacts, and adaptation planning in fragile socio-ecological landscapes. • Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies and resilience metrics for local institutions. ________________________________________ 3. Wetland Ecology, Waterbird Conservation & Ramsar Prioritisation Building on Pakistan’s growing need for wetland conservation science, my research will generate robust evidence for Ramsar site designation, monitoring, and management. Key research foci: • Waterbird ecology, migration ecology, and wetland functionality using bioacoustics, drone surveys, citizen science data, and telemetry. • Assessment of Pakistan’s floodplain, alpine, and riverine wetlands under RLE and Ramsar criteria. • Human–waterbird conflict assessments in fisheries and aquaculture landscapes. • Waterbird-mediated seed dispersal and its implications for wetland restoration. ________________________________________ 4. Human–Wildlife Interactions, Community-Based Conservation & Nature-Based Solutions Recognising that ecological conservation in Pakistan depends on community partnerships, my research will emphasise coexistence frameworks and livelihood-linked conservation. Key research foci: • Evaluating community-based trophy hunting programs, their ecological sustainability, and socio-economic outcomes. • Human–wildlife conflict analytics (snow leopard–livestock depredation modelling, conflict hotspots, early-warning systems). • Nature-based enterprises, ecotourism models, and biodiversity-credit finance mechanisms. • Social-ecological resilience, indigenous knowledge, and gender-inclusive conservation governance. ________________________________________ 5. Landscape Ecology, Connectivity, and Remote Sensing Applications I will supervise GIS- and RS-driven research on landscape fragmentation, habitat connectivity, and ecosystem change. Key research foci: • Habitat connectivity modelling using CIRCUITSCAPE, Linkage Mapper, and graph theory. • Ecological integrity mapping of protected areas and their buffer zones. • Long-term vegetation change, snow cover dynamics, hydrological indices (NDVI, NDWI), and land degradation assessments. • Using UAVs, Sentinel-2/Landsat datasets, and LiDAR derivatives for biodiversity mapping. ________________________________________ 6. Ecological Economics, Ecosystem Services & Conservation Finance Understanding ecological–economic linkages is essential for modern conservation. My students will work on quantifying ecosystem services to inform policy, restoration, and finance. Key research foci: • Valuation of ecosystem services (water regulation, pollination, carbon storage, wildlife tourism). • Biodiversity credits and carbon credits for mountain communities. • Cost–benefit analyses of conservation interventions, protected area management, and livelihood diversification. • Climate vulnerability and economic risk assessments for agriculture and natural resources. ________________________________________ 7. Conservation Genetics, Evolutionary Ecology & Emerging Molecular Tools (For advanced PhD candidates) To strengthen Pakistan’s scientific capacity, I will guide molecular and genetic studies that clarify species boundaries, population connectivity, and adaptive traits. Key research foci: • DNA barcoding and phylogenetics of poorly known taxa (e.g., Odonata, alpine herbs, small mammals). • Non-invasive genetics for snow leopard, wolf, and ungulate populations. • Genetic diversity and local adaptation in fragmented alpine plant populations.