Thesis
Towards sustainable management of Abu Dhabi's coastal and marine resources
Southern Cross University, Centre for Coastal Management
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2006
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Abstract
Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven United Arab Emirates and has a Gulf coastline that includes numerous lagoons, creeks, bays, and peninsulas extending for over 900 km. The total area of Abu Dhabi's marine territorial waters is around 37,616 km2. The emirate contains over 50 offshore islands, ranging from dramatic salt dome formations to small sandy shoals. The occurrence of an inshore network of barrier islands also provides a regionally unique lagoon ecosystem, with protected shallow waters and associated coastal habitats.
The coastal and marine resources of the emirate are extensive, and have persisted in spite of a harsh arid climate characterised by high solar radiation, dramatic seasonal variations in water temperature, and high salinity. Despite the harshness, the natural resources have sustained the local inhabitants for over 7500 years, until relatively recently when rapid development following the discovery of oil led to dramatic economic and social changes that also impacted on the natural coastal and marine resources.
To address degradation of the natural resources, the adoption of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is required, and international and regional case studies are reviewed to provide a suitable management framework. The case studies also identified solutions, and indicated relevant mechanisms appropriate for use in Abu Dhabi.
All resource inventory data, and other historical environmental data from the study area were reviewed, and spatial data was analyzed to determine trends, and identified valuable ecological zones in the emirate. This study followed widespread coral mortality in the study area, resulting from increasing temperatures, and an investigation of climatic trends in the area was undertaken, and future impacts of climate change on the coastal and marine resources is discussed.
The stakeholders in the study area were also identified, and a questionnaire was designed to determine their responsibilities, activities, perceived issues and solutions. The stakeholders were surveyed, and the results were analysed and discussed.
Impacts of development on the natural resources was quantitatively analysed using remotely sensed images of the study area, covering the period 1972 - 2003. Change detection analysis unde1iaken on the images also indicated overall development trends within the study area.
All major management issues were identified, discussed and prioritized, and specific management responses are discussed. A mechanism for the development of a sustainable coastal and marine management process in Abu Dhabi is also provided.
Details
- Title
- Towards sustainable management of Abu Dhabi's coastal and marine resources
- Creators
- Ronald Anthony Loughland
- Contributors
- Peter Saenger (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityPeter Hellyer (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University, Centre for Coastal Management
- Number of pages
- xxii, 321
- Identifiers
- 991012957300302368
- Copyright
- © Ronald A Loughland 2006
- Academic Unit
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering
- Resource Type
- Thesis