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Ecosystems as Commodity Frontiers—Challenges Faced by Land Set Aside as Protected Areas (PAs) in the Dubai Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Commodity Frontiers and Global Capitalist Expansion

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Economic History ((PEHS))

Abstract

This chapter examines natural habitats in Dubai, UAE that the state has demarcated as protected areas (PAs) in an attempt to utilize them for recreational/economic purposes while also mitigating habitat fragmentation. The authors employ the concept of the ‘commodity frontier’ to demonstrate how these PAs have contributed to the ongoing commodification of land that began with the rise of modern agriculture in the mid-twentieth century. The rise of the oil economy in the mid-twentieth century stimulated significant development that, over time, has resulted in ecological degradation. In line with state conservation agendas aimed at greening the desert and preserving biodiversity, PAs also serve as a mechanism for promoting tourism. Ironically, these activities have in turn put further pressure on the country’s natural resources and desert ecology. The authors also present an example of a PA that has been effectively managed and could serve as a model of sustainable development.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Gary Brown for discussion and supplementary information. BH also acknowledges grateful thanks to Zayed University for the use of the research vehicle during fieldwork.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Brigitte Howarth, Tamer Khafaga, Greg Simkins & Sabrina Joseph

Authors
  1. Brigitte Howarth
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  2. Tamer Khafaga
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  3. Greg Simkins
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  4. Sabrina Joseph
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brigitte Howarth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. American University in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Sabrina Joseph

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Howarth, B., Khafaga, T., Simkins, G., Joseph, S. (2019). Ecosystems as Commodity Frontiers—Challenges Faced by Land Set Aside as Protected Areas (PAs) in the Dubai Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE). In: Joseph, S. (eds) Commodity Frontiers and Global Capitalist Expansion. Palgrave Studies in Economic History. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15322-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15322-9_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-15321-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-15322-9

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