Biography
Prof. Moshe Gophen
Prof. Moshe Gophen
MIGAL-Scientific Research Institute, Israel
Title: The Impact of Climate Change on Inland Waters: The Lake Kinneret (Israel) Case Study
Abstract: 
Regional (Lake Kinneret Watershed) changes of climate conditions indicates air and water temperature increase, decline in rainfall, and diminishing river discharges resulting lower lake water level. Consequent reduction in nitrogen input and therefore decline of Nitrogen availability in the Kinneret Epilimnion whilst that of Phosphorus was slightly elevated resulting decline of the Epilimnetic TN/TP mass ratio. Such a trend of change is favored by Cyanbacteria. As a result of temperature elevation and nitrogen deficiency, the biomass of Nitrogen required  Peridinium spp domination  was replaced by Cyanobacterial biomass enhancement. Cyanobacteria have a deterioration effect on water quality when their biomass is high. Cyanobacteria were found also to be toxic to human beings, livestock, and to freshwater invertebrates.  Microcystis bloom and scum formation are a globally known factor deteriorating water quality. Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous in inland aquatic ecosystems, especially lakes and reservoirs. Among filamentous and non-filamentous Cyanobacteria there are about 30 toxic compound –producing species. The diversity, density, toxicity and longevity of Cyanobacteria are influenced by temperature, water mass motion, thermal structure, light intensity, chemical conditions, such as nutrient availability and allelopathic relations, and grazing  by fish, zooplankton, and large invertebrates. Freshwater bodies became globally more Eutrophic due to climate changes which enhanced water scarcity and consequently increase in human consumption. Therefore, global and regional climate change conditions enforced susceptibility of drinking water sources to Cyanobacteria blooms. 
Biography: 
Born in Afikim, (1936) living presently in Karmiel; 
Married, 4 children, 13 grand children.
Studied Biology/Limnology in the Hebrew University ,Jerusalem: 
1963-BSc; 1967-MSc; 1976-PhD; 1985-Full Professor.
1968-2002, Senior scientist in the Kinneret Limnological Laboratory.
1980-1986-Director of the Kinneret Limnological Laboratory.
 Collaborator in International research Projects: Egypt, Germany, Brazil, China, Mexico, Kenya and USA.
2002- Retirement 
2002 - onwards Research Scientist in the Migal. 
1996-2014 External lecturer in the Tel Hai Academic College (Limnology). 
1992-1995 Visiting Full Professor in the University Of Oklahoma, USA.
1995-2006 Scientific coordinator of the Hula  Reclamation project.
Lake Kinneret Fishermen Consultant.
Visiting Full Professor in the university of Valdivia, Chile and in The UNAM university in Mexico.
MSc and PhD  students supervision in Israel and USA.
From 1997chair person of the Hula Committee.
Published 220 papers in reviewed international Journal (Lake Kinneret , Hula Valley, Lake Victoria, Lake Ilopango, Guarapiranga Reservoir, Lake Texoma).
Published 3 Books:1) Ecological studies in the Lake Kinneret and Hula Valley Ecosystems (English); 2) Lake Kinneret (Hebrew); 3) Kinneret is Different (Hebrew) (Glilit Publishers). 
90 Articles in Israeli Magazines (Lake Kinneret and the Hula Valley) (Hebrew).