News
The Faculty of Sciences Semlalia of Cadi Ayyad University is proud to announce the official inauguration of the first permanent Aquatic Mesocosm Facility in Africa, established within the framework of the CYCLOLIVE PRIMA Project (https://www.cyclolive.eu/)
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by:
- Prof. El Hassan El Mouden, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences Semlalia
- Prof. Naaila Ouazzani, Vice-Dean for Research and Cooperation and Head of the Aquabiotech Laboratory of Excellence.
This new research facility represents a major advancement in experimental aquatic ecology and environmental research at both national and continental levels.
During the ceremony, the Project Coordinator and facility host, Prof. Faissal AZIZ, presented the scientific objectives and strategic relevance of the mesocosm platform. He emphasized its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in relation to ecosystem protection, pollution mitigation, and the validation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The facility will serve as a cornerstone for future interdisciplinary research projects and international collaborations.
The collaborating team of mesocosm experts and aquatic ecologists from Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Germany; Dr. Jens C. Nejstgaard, Dr. Stella A. Berger, and Dr. J. Rafael Bermudez-Monsalve, highlighted the scientific principles of mesocosm experimentation and its importance for assessing ecosystem responses to environmental stressors and for evaluating innovative ecological solutions under controlled yet realistic conditions, specifically for testing urgently needed mitigation measures to critical societal challenges, such minimizing pollution of scarce freshwater recourses and protecting the increasingly threatened freshwater biodiversity.
The Faculty extends its sincere appreciation to the academic contributors:
Prof. Abbad Abdelaziz, Prof. Sbihi Karim, and Prof. Lahrouni Majida, as well as to the dedicated research team and doctoral students whose commitment contributed significantly to this achievement: Ms.C. Maldou, Ms. H. Zegroud, Ms. A. El Fatmi, Ms. S. Ayadi, Dr. Y. Bellaziz, Mr. A. Berradi and Mr. R. Mouqaddam. Also Dr. Aroua Ammar from Sfax University, Tunisia.
The establishment of this facility significantly reinforces regional scientific capacity, fosters Euro-Mediterranean collaboration, and supports the PRIMA Programme’s mission to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for water management, agriculture, and environmental challenges across the Mediterranean.
This inauguration marks a significant milestone in strengthening advanced environmental research capacity in Africa and reinforces Cadi Ayyad University’s commitment to scientific excellence, sustainability, and international cooperation.
Examples of non-permanent experimental setups from Africa, that has been referred to as aquatic mesocosms:
-This one is 25 L non-permanent:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771424002622?utm_source=chatgpt.com
-This one is 3 L
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6480876/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
-“Each mesocosm, with a depth of 1.4 m, was made from translucent, 200 μm thick polyethylene bags straddling square plastic frames measuring 80 cm × 80 cm”
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/9/591
