Team | MedWet

A new dynamic, a new team

The first example of this new dynamic is the strengthening of its team, with the arrival of Anis Guelmami who has become the new MWO coordinator. With 12 years of experience working on this initiative, and in particular integrating into it Earth Observation (EO) tools for monitoring Mediterranean wetlands, and supporting national partners in their implementation of global and regional conventions relating to these ecosystems (Ramsar, Sustainable Development Goals, Barcelona Convention), his expertise and network will enable the MWO’s results to be applied more effectively nationally and locally, meeting the ‘real’ needs of partners working at these levels. As coordinator, he also oversees the MWO’s future deliverables, including the third part of the periodic reports “Mediterranean Wetlands: Issues and Perspectives.”

Anis Guelmami is strongly supported by the MWO’s core team, which welcomes three new recruits:

Michael Ronse: As MWO project manager, his main responsibility is to lead the scientific and technical work needed to produce the third report on the status and trends of Mediterranean wetlands. With his skills and knowledge in GIS, ecology, and multifunctional land management, he also plays an active role in discussions on the monitoring indicators developed by the MWO, and on the exploitation and dissemination of results. As a new ambassador for the MWO, he also supports the coordinator and the whole team in promoting this strategic tool throughout the Mediterranean, particularly among local and national stakeholders.

Nina Bègue: A remote sensing research engineer, she makes a major contribution to the development of the MWO’s geo-referenced databases, and more specifically those derived from Earth Observation tools. She is in charge of deploying and integrating new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies (machine and deep learning algorithms) based on these data and helping process them.

Elie Gaget: A research scientist in eco-statistics, he provides support to the whole team in calculating indicators, which requires considerable expertise in statistics, as well as in conducting comparative analysis using the MWO’s various databases. He also assists in promoting the MWO’s scientific results, through the development of new areas of research that will help to advance knowledge on the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands and their biodiversity.

Thomas Galewsky: the MWO continues to benefit from Thomas’ expertise, particularly in the realm of biodiversity. As the coordinator of a team that brings together various mechanisms linking wetland specialists and diverse societal stakeholders, including political decision-makers, managers, and civil society organizations, Thomas also actively contributes to ensuring that MWO’s findings are shared with the widest audience possible.