Monitoring and controlling sand movement in urban areas, agricultural lands and roads using artificial intelligence for a sustainable environmental future


King Faisal University

Session 298

Monday, 7 July 2025 17:00–17:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) participation only WSIS+20 Open Space, Palexpo Environment Interactive Session 2 Documents

Geospatial AI applications in addressing environmental issues, The project focuses on a crucial environmental issue in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is highly susceptible to sand movement or sand creep due to its desert climate. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies is central to the project, aiming to address desertification, predict sand movement, and ultimately develop strategies to mitigate environmental, economic, and social impacts. The project has broader regional and international relevance, extending beyond Saudi Arabia to neighboring countries facing similar environmental challenges.

Panellists
Prof. Abbas Mustafa
Prof. Abbas Mustafa Faculty member King Faisal University - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Moderator

Personal Information:

Prof. Dr. Abbas Al-Tayeb Babiker Mustafa

 University: University of Khartoum (currently seconded to King Faisal University)

College: Arts

Department: Geography and Geographic Information Systems

Academic Rank: Professor

Address: King Faisal University - P.O. Box 400 Zip Code 31982

National Address: 7057 - King Faisal University - Unit Number: 1

Al-Hofuf 36362 - 3959

Mobile: 00966 553586690

Email: aemustafa@kfu.edu.sa

            aababiker1@gmail.com

Website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=mTU6uOYAAAAJ&hl=ar

Orcid: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1745-1856

 

Qualifications:

-          Bachelor of Honors - First Class Geography, University of Khartoum (1996).

-          Master's degree in Geography, University of Khartoum (1998).

-          PhD in Geography, University of Khartoum (2004), Full boarding scholarship from Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) and a 6-month study period at Eichstätt University in Germany.

Areas of scientific interest:

-          Hydrogeomorphological studies in arid and semi-arid environments.

-          Applications of geographic information systems and remote sensing in assessing and predicting natural hazards.

-          Applications of geospatial artificial intelligence.

-          Crisis, disaster and environmental hazard management.

-          Environmental protection methods, awareness and environmental security.

-          Evaluation of natural resources to achieve food security and environmental sustainability.

Research articles published in refereed journals:

- The role of scientific research in achieving sustainable development in arid environments (a model of geographical approaches to assessing natural resources), Arab Science and Technology Foundation, 2006, (electronic publication- In Arabic). Website: http://www.astf.net/ar/sro/87-scientific-research-outlook-2006

- Predicting and mitigating dry valley flood crises and disasters according to geomorphological methods, Scientific record of the first Saudi International Conference on Crisis and Disaster Management (Volume 1), 2013.P. 214-235, Website: http://fisccdm.imamu.edu.sa

- Indicators of sand dune encroachment and desertification in alluvial fans in arid and semi-arid environments (Wadi Arab, eastern Sudan), Journal of the Faculty of Arts (ISSN 0302-8844) - University of Khartoum (Issue 31), December 2013,P.239-274

- The Natural Geographical Dimensions of Sustainable Development in Al-Qassim Region, International Journal of Planning and Sustainable Development, Euro-Arab Organization for Environmental, Water and Desert Research (ISSN 2311-9004), Vol2, Issu3, 2015, Manchester. Britain.

- Geomorphological applications for predicting disasters and risks of floods and torrents in dry valleys, Journal of the Faculty of Arts - University of Khartoum (ISSN 0302-8844) - Issue 34 - June 2015, P.259-282.

- Irrigation Systems Management in Al-Ahsa Oasis in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, International Journal of Environment and Water, Euro-Arab Organization for Environment, Water and Desert Research, (ISSN 2052-3408)- Vol4, Issu1, 2015, Manchester - UK - (Joint Research),Pages: 133- 149.

- Geographical components of tourism development in Al-Ahsa Oasis, International Journal of Environment & Water Research- Issue 4- 2014- Volume 3, Manchester, UK. (Joint research).

Pages: 141- 168.

International Journal of Environment & Water (ISSN 2052-3408)- Vol 3, Issue 4- 2014, Page 141- 168. Research website: http://ijew.ewdr.org/component/k2/item/349-htm

- Nature and Trend of Urban Growth in Saudi Arabia:

The Case of Al-Ahsa Province – Eastern Region, Resources and Environment 2017, 7(3): 69-80 DOI: 10.5923/j.re.20170703.02, Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/re

- Analysis of Remotely Sensed Data for Detecting and Mapping the Changes of Agricultural Lands in Al-Ahsaa Oasis, Saudi Arabia Using GIS and Image Processing Software, Proceedings 12th GIS Symposium in Saudi Arabia (244-262)- April 10 – 12, 2018,  Dammam.

- Geography of Place and Sustainability of Islamic Monuments in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities, Papers of the First Saudi Arabia Monuments Forum (2017), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.

- Geomorphology and Environmental Sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sand Retention Projects as a Model, Scientific Record - The First Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “Geography for Sustainable Development for Vision 2030”, Saudi Geographical Society (2018).

- Detection, Mapping and Assessment Change in Urban and Croplands Area in Al-Hassa Oasis, Eastern Region in Saudi Arabia Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Journal of Geographic Information System (ISSN Online: 2151-1969): http://www.scirp.org/journal/jgis

- Ecotourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Reality and Hope, Al-Uqair Coast as a Model, Sudan Geographical Journal - Volume 2 - Issue 1, January 2018, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences - University of Khartoum, Sudan. (Joint research). Journal website: http://onlinejournals.uofk.edu

- Geographical Distribution and Positive Impact of the Saudi Fund for Development Activities in Financing Sustainable Development Projects in Sudan, Adab Journal, Issue 42- January 2020 (ISSN 0302-8844), Faculty of Arts - University of Khartoum, Sudan. Pages: 62-100

https://onlinejournals.uofk.edu/index.php/JFA/article/view/573/443

- Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Techniques to Evaluate the Al-Ahsa Oasis Sand Reservation Project, Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - King Faisal University - Volume 21 - Issue 2 (2020), Journal Website: https://doi.org/10.37575/h/geo/2139

 

- Hydrogeomorphological Pillars to Support Vision 2030 in Preserving the Kingdom's Lands from Environmental Hazards "Case Study: Al-Ahsa Oasis", Security Research Journal - Volume 31 - Issue 82 (2022), Studies and Research Center, King Fahd Security College, Riyadh. Official website: https://kfsc.edu.sa/info/SRJ

- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's interest in addressing environmental and development issues in the countries of the African Sahel region during the reign of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may God have mercy on him), the scientific record of the scientific symposium on the history of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him, King Abdulaziz Foundation, Research and Publishing Department (1444 AH), Riyadh. (Accepted for publication)

- Environmental and Geomorphological Impacts of Sandstorms in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Journal of the Faculty of Arts - University of Khartoum (ISSN 0302-8844) - Issue 47 - June 2022. Pages: 251-290. Official website:

https://onlinejournals.uofk.edu/index.php/JFA/article/view/1269

Funded scientific research:

-          Fertility and Child Nutrition in Eastern Sudan States (Associate Researcher) - (Completed) Ministry of Science and Technology - Sudan 2005-2006

-          irrigation Systems Management in Al-Ahsa Oasis (Associate Researcher) - (Completed) Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 280802) 2008.

-          The impact of economic development in the Eastern Region on agriculture in the Al-Ahsa Oasis (Associate Researcher) - (Completed) Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 280805) 2010. 

-          Geographical determinants of land use patterns in Al-Ahsa Governorate (Associate Researcher) - (Completed) Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 290815) 2011.

-          Geographical components of tourism development in Al-Ahsa Oasis (Principal Researcher) - (Completed) Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 300813) 2011.

-          Architectural Characteristics of Heritage Buildings in Al-Ahsa Governorate (Participant Researcher) - (Completed) Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 320812) 2012.

-          Geographical Distribution of the Saudi Fund for Development Activities in the African Sahel Region (Sudan as a Model) - (Completed) Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 340802) 2013 .

-          Environmental and Geomorphological Impacts of Sandstorms in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

-          Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University

-          (Project No.: 18-11-08-006) 2020.

-          Hydrogeomorphological foundations to support Vision 2030 in preserving the Kingdom's lands from environmental hazards Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 18-11-08-005) 2020 .

-          Environmental awareness and community awareness of the novel coronavirus Deanship of Scientific Research - Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (Project No.: 18-11-08-005) 2020 .

-          Monitoring and Observing the Movement of Sand Dunes and Their Impact on Urban Centers, Engineering Facilities, and Agricultural Lands in Al-Ahsa Governorate Using Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Sustainability. Deanship of Scientific Research-King Faisal University (Project No.: KFU-Creativity-13) 2025 (Ongoing).

Participation in international and regional scientific conferences and seminars:

-          The Third Symposium on the Prospects of Scientific Research and Technological Development in the Arab World, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (11-14/4/2004).

-          The Second International Conference at the Faculty of Dar Al-Ulum on Orientalism, Arab and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts, Minya University, Arab Republic of Egypt (4-6/3/2006).

-          The Fourth Conference on "Prospects for Scientific Research and Technological Development in the Arab World" Ministry of Higher Education - and the Arab Science and Technology Foundation, Syrian Arab Republic (11-14/12/2006).

-          The International Scientific Conference (Mechanisms for Developing Faculties of Arts in Arab Universities, Faculty of Arts - Minya University, Arab Republic of Egypt (27-29/3/2005).

-          The Scientific Research Symposium and its Role in Combating Desertification and Stabilizing Sand Dunes, Sultan Qaboos University - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Department of Geography, Sultanate of Oman (2-4/4/2005).

-          The First International Conference on Architectural Heritage in Islamic Countries, General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (23-26/5/2010).

-          The Twenty-Sixth Scientific Meeting of the Saudi Geographical Society, Qassim University and the Saudi Geographical Society, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia(30/3-1/4/2010).

-          Rural Development Symposium in Al-Baha Region Saudi Geographical Society Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (6-8/3/2012).

-          Second International Conference on E-Learning and Distance Learning Ministry of Higher Education - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (21-24/2/2011).

-          The First National Architectural Heritage Forum Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Jeddah (14-16/11/2011).

-          The First Saudi International Conference on Crisis and Disaster Management Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (8-9/9/2013).

-          The Fourth National Architectural Heritage Forum Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Abha (1-4/12/2014).

-          The International Geomatics Conference Middle East and North Africa Euro-Arab Organization for Environmental, Water and Desert Research (EWDR) Jordan – Amman (31/3-3-4/2015).

-          The Tenth Forum for Geographic Information Systems in the Eastern Region University of Dammam and the Eastern Region Geographic Information Systems Forum (GIS) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Dammam (11-14/5/2015).

-          The First International Conference on the History of Medical and Applied Sciences among Arabs and Muslims Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University - Institute for the History of Arab and Islamic Sciences Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh (2-5/5/2017).

-          The First Saudi Arabia Antiquities Forum Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh (7-9/11/2017).

-          The First Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia "Geography for Sustainable Development for Vision 2030" Saudi Geographical Society - Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Dammam (28-30/3/2018).

-          The Twelfth Forum on Geographic Information Systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Dammam (10-12/4/2018).

-          Conference on Sustainable Development in Desert Areas - Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Dammam (22-24/1/2019).

-          Geographic Environment Forum with Vision 2030 Department of Geography - College of Arts - Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh (27-28/3/2019).

-          International Conference on Al-Ahsa, Capital of Arab Tourism 2019 Saudi Geographical Society - and Department of Geography, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies in Al-Ahsa - Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Al-Ahsa (3-5/12/2019).

-          International Conference on Omani Heritage Architecture and Sustainability Sultan Qaboos University - Center for Omani Studies Sultanate of Oman (29-30/3/2021).

-          International Conference on Geographic Information 20121 Saudi Geographical Society - Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (23-25/2/2021).

-          International Conference: Omani Heritage Civilization and its Sustainability, Sultan Qaboos University, Omani Studies Center (29-30/3/2021).

-          The Sixth Scientific Conference of the Geographical Society of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries in cooperation with the Cultural Village Foundation in the State of Qatar -Katara (6-8/3/ 2023).

-          International Workshop: Mechanisms for Monitoring Desertification and Ways to Address It, Environmental Protection Unit - College of Agricultural and Food Sciences - King Faisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (6/8/2023).

-          Participation with a scientific paper "Applications of Nanotechnology in Environmental Treatment: For a Sustainable Environment" Saudi Environment Week Workshop - King Faisal University (4/28 - 5/2/2024).

-          World Renewable Energy Conference - Kingdom of Bahrain, Participation with a scientific paper "Spatial suitability model for the best locations of solar power plants using geographic information systems" (13-16/1/2025).

Scientific Activities:

1- Supervising master's and doctoral theses for graduate students at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University.

2- Refereeing the scientific production of faculty members in some Saudi universities for promotion to the rank of professor.

3- Refereeing scientific research submitted for publication to many local, regional and international scientific journals.

4- External examiner for graduate students.

5- Providing training courses in the field of using drones in field surveying, Geospatial artificial intelligence, Trainer in the field of GIS and Remote Sensing Technology. 

Books:

Title: Field Studies in Geography

Author: Professor/ Mr. Al-Sayed Al-Bishri Muhammad Ahmad - Dr./ Abbas Al-Tayeb Babiker

Publisher: Department of Arabization - University of Khartoum

Date: 2010

Number of pages: 140 pages


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Ms. Hams Al-Matroodi student King Faisal University - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Ms. Shahad Al-Otaibi student King Faisal University - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Mr. Abdullah Al-Yousef student King Faisal University - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Ms. Abeer Al-Ymnei student King Faisal University - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A student at King Faisal University, majoring in Geography and Geographic Information Systems. I am proficient in using some GIS programs, including ERDAS Arc GIS. I am fluent in Arabic and Turkish, and I speak English. I aspire to be a leader in my work, and I have a good background in speaking and presenting.


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