Watershed Ecosystems Project Principal Investigator Professor Adam Wei Delivers Keynote on Ecosystem-Based Disaster Resilience at International Conference in Türkiye
Professor Adam Wei, Watershed Ecosystems Project Principal Investigator and Eco-Hydrologist from UBCO’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences, was invited to deliver a keynote presentation and participate in a panel discussion at the International Conference on Sustainable Ecosystems for Disaster Resilience: Best Practices and Success Stories, held in Ankara, Türkiye from May 14–16, 2025.
His keynote talk, titled “Managing Disaster Risks under Climate Change and Increasing Forest Disturbance: A Watershed Ecosystem Approach,” introduced an interdisciplinary model for assessing and managing disaster risks in forested watersheds, drawing on findings from Watershed Ecosystems Project research conducted in the Peachland community watershed (2020–2024). Professor Wei shared how climate change and intensified forest disturbance are amplifying disasters such as floods, droughts, biodiversity loss, and carbon emissions.
Dr. Wei’s presentation outlined the WEP’s comprehensive six-part study framework – spanning natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering. The watershed ecosystems approach integrates assessments of the cumulative impacts of land use and climate change on water quantity and quality; risks to drinking water and fish habitat; implications for Indigenous values; integrated modeling of watershed resilience; and a new approach to governance. Dr. Wei emphasized the importance of ecosystem-based strategies to mitigate disaster risks—both through applied science and more inclusive governance structures.
In addition to the keynote presentation, Professor Wei joined a post-event field tour to explore real-world disaster sites and management responses, contributing to international knowledge exchange on sustainable and resilient ecosystem practices.
This appearance underscores the WEP’s innovative study design and UBC Okanagan’s leadership in climate resilience, watershed science, and interdisciplinary approaches to disaster risk reduction.
