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Journals / Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 13

Balancing ecotourism and biodiversity conservation in a fragile territory: The case of Mogador Island

Hassas bir bölgede ekoturizm ve biyoçeşitlilik korumasını dengelemek: Mogador Adası örneği

Khalid El Housni(Cadi Ayyad University)0009-0009-9427-9949
Çağdan Uyar(Istanbul University Cerrahpasa)0000-0002-4813-2219
Jihane Benmassoud(Cadi Ayyad University)0000-0002-9631-616X
Kamal Mouhibi(Cadi Ayyad University)0009-0009-8625-6413
Mina Milca Osly(Cadi Ayyad University)0009-0009-3934-6723
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-08-10
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal that, for certain institutional and economic stakes, the island of Mogador has become a strategic tool for regional diversification and economic development.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Background and Aims Based on a qualitative case study conducted using interviews, field observations, and documentary analysis, this study aims to assess the region's ecotourism potential, identify environmental and socio-regional risks associated with tourism development, and discuss the applicability of a sustainable tourism development model based on integrated governance, regulation of uses, and stakeholder participation.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods A total of 22 stakeholders with diverse profiles, representing the city’s ecotourism ecosystem, were interviewed.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings reveal that, for certain institutional and economic stakes, the island of Mogador has become a strategic tool for regional diversification and economic development.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Ekoturizm · biyolojik çeşitliliğin korunması · önemli türler

Abstract

Background and Aims Based on a qualitative case study conducted using interviews, field observations, and documentary analysis, this study aims to assess the region's ecotourism potential, identify environmental and socio-regional risks associated with tourism development, and discuss the applicability of a sustainable tourism development model based on integrated governance, regulation of uses, and stakeholder participation. In doing so, it contributes to current debates on the management of fragile regions and the limits of ecotourism as a tool for conservation and development. Eleonora's falcon, a species rarely seen and rarely studied worldwide, has also been examined in this regard. Methods A total of 22 stakeholders with diverse profiles, representing the city’s ecotourism ecosystem, were interviewed. Using semi-structured interviews, field observations, and documentary review, the study examines how stakeholders view ecotourism, governance, and conservation priorities. Results The results reveal that ecotourism is more of a contested area driven by differing values and power dynamics than a shared solution. While institutions and economic players focus on regulated access and funding, community groups and environmental experts warn about habitat damage and the symbolic commodification of nature. The findings reveal that, for certain institutional and economic stakes, the island of Mogador has become a strategic tool for regional diversification and economic development. Conclusion The study suggests that successful ecotourism in fragile environments relies on participatory governance, regulated use, and respect for ecological boundaries, fueling ongoing debates on wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. It has been found that discrepancies between theory and practice in management need to be resolved.

Özet

Giriş ve Hedefler: Bu makale, mülakatlar, saha gözlemleri ve doküman analizleri kullanılarak gerçekleştirilen niteliksel bir vaka çalışmasına dayanarak, bölgenin ekoturizm potansiyelini değerlendirmek, turizm gelişimi ile ilişkili çevresel ve sosyo-bölgesel riskleri belirlemek ve entegre yönetişim, kullanımların düzenlenmesi ve paydaş katılımına dayalı sürdürülebilir turizm geliştirme modelinin uygulanabilirliğini tartışmayı amaçlamaktadır. Böylelikle, hassas bölgelerin yönetimi ve koruma ve kalkınma aracı olarak ekoturizmin sınırları konusunda güncel tartışmalara katkıda bulunmaktadır. Eleonora şahini gibi dünyada nadir görülen ve az araştırılmış türe de dikkat çekilmiştir. Yöntemler: Kentteki ekoturizm ekosistemini temsil eden, farklı profillere sahip toplam 22 paydaşla görüşülmüştür. Yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler, saha gözlemleri ve doküman incelemeleri kullanılarak, paydaşların ekoturizm, yönetişim ve koruma önceliklerini nasıl değerlendirdikleri incelenmiştir. Bulgular: Araştırma sonuçları, ekoturizmin ortak bir çözümden çok, farklı değerler ve güç dinamikleri tarafından yönlendirilen tartışmalı bir alan olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Kurumlar ve ekonomik aktörler düzenlenmiş erişim ve finansmana odaklanırken, topluluk grupları ve çevre uzmanları habitatın zarar görmesi ve doğanın sembolik olarak metalaştırılması konusunda uyarıda bulunmaktadır. Bulgular, belirli kurumsal ve ekonomik çıkarlar için Mogador adasının bölgesel çeşitlilik ve ekonomik kalkınma için stratejik bir araç haline geldiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Sonuçlar: Çalışma hassas ortamlarda başarılı ekoturizmin; katılımcı yönetişim, kontrollü kullanım ve ekolojik sınırlara saygı üzerine dayandığını öne sürerek yaban hayatı koruma ve sürdürülebilir turizm konusunda süregelen tartışmaları körüklemektedir. Yönetsel açıdan teoride ve pratikteki uyuşmazlıkların giderilmesi gerektiği görülmüştür.

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Cite This Article

Housni, K. E., Uyar, Ç., Benmassoud, J., Mouhibi, K., Osly, M. M. (2026). Balancing ecotourism and biodiversity conservation in a fragile territory: The case of Mogador Island. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, Sayı: 13. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1884299

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