Land-Cover Change in The Eastern Desert of Egypt

Investigator: 
Pamela Labib
Advisor: 
Amity Doolittle
Start Date: 
September, 2010
Description: 

This research is examining the impact of the changing biophysical space on the environmental identity of the Egyptian nomadic pastoralist, and on ecosystem productivity within the Eastern Desert Red Sea Region of Egypt. By examining the features and impacts of a changing landscape, I aim to understand the drivers that are reshaping pastoralist’s livelihood practices, from both utilitarian and non-utilitarian contexts, mobility and ultimately identity.

My study area has been the site of rapid tourism development over the last twenty years, severely altering the biophysical features of the landscape. The state aims to limit pastoralists’ mobility for security purposes and the changes in the landscape, although directed towards economic growth, serve to reshape the pastoralists’ mobility and livelihood practices, redefining the very basis of their identity. The landscape and ecosystem are the embodiment of the state and pastoralist’s relationship and becomes the lens through which these relationships can be examined.