snow only four times (2004, 2009, 2017 and 2020) since records began. Flora and fauna Date palms, as well as acacia and eucalyptus trees, are commonly found growing at the region's oases. Within the desert itself, the flora is much more sparse and primarily consists of grasses and thornbushes. The region's indigenous fauna had previously come close to extinction due to intensive hunting, which led to a 1970s conservation program on the Bani Yas island by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; this resulted in the survival of Arabian oryxes and leopards, among others. The region's coastal fish consist mainly of mackerel, perch and tuna, as well as sharks and whales. Area and land boundaries Area: Total: Land: Water: 0 km2 Land boundaries: Total: Border countries: Oman ; Saudi Arabia Coastline: Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: Continental shelf: or to the edge of the continental margin Exclusive economic zone: Territorial sea: Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m Highest point: Jebel Al Mebrah Resources and land use Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas Land use: Arable land: 0.5% Permanent crops: 0.5% Permanent pasture: 3.6% Forest: 3.8% Other: 91.6% (2018) Irrigated land: (2012) Total renewable water resources: Environmental concerns Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: air pollution; rapid population growth and high energy demand contribute to water scarcity; lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea See also List of United Arab Emirates-related topics Geography of Dubai Notes References