Arid rangeland degradation in an oil-rich gulf state; Inertia of perceived heritage and pro-agricultural policies

David J. Gallacher, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Horizons in Earth Science Research. Vol. 1

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Abstract

© 2010 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Over the last 35 years land management and farmer lifestyles have changed dramatically on the rangelands of the United Arab Emirates. The human relationship with rangelands has moved from subsistence to a secondary income or hobby. Both ecological health and indigenous knowledge of rangelands are in decline. Large areas of the inland desert of the country are rapidly becoming urbanized. This paper reviews threats to the 225 km2 Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). Inland desert rangelands are threatened by groundwater depletion, habitat fragmentation, exotic species introductions and overgrazing. The paper argues that overgrazing is currently the most serious threat to the inland desert, reducing range species diversity, production and available forage. Reduction of stocking rates requires a revision of pro-agricultural policies and resolving the legal ambiguity surrounding common grazing lands. It can be reasonably expected that environmental attitudes will shift from anthropocentric to ecocentric over time, but a shift in cultural heritage perceptions may also be needed to reassert a balanced approach to rangeland management.

ISBN

9781611223378

Publisher

Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

First Page

335

Last Page

350

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Keywords

Camel, Cultural heritage, Desert conservation, Land tenure, overgrazing

Scopus ID

85053481692

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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