Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desertology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
2 Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desert Studie, University of Yazd, Yazd, Iran
3 Rangeland and Watershed Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desertology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
4 Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction and Objective: Understanding the damages and their causes in watersheds is a fundamental and essential step in watershed management, setting the stage for identifying suitable solutions and implementing targeted actions in these areas. The objective of this study is to explore management responses to improve the health of the watershed using the DPSIR approach.
Materials and Methods: To this end, factors associated with each component of the DPSIR framework were initially identified through library research, resource review, and field visits to the watershed. A survey was conducted with 20 experts and 20 watershed residents based on the Likert scale, and then the Friedman test was used to prioritize the items from the perspective of experts and residents.
Findings: According to the results, five driving forces in the watershed have created 34 pressures on watershed resources, which in turn have led to 11 unfavorable conditions in the watershed. These conditions have also resulted in 20 unintended impacts. Additionally, 32 management responses were proposed to improve the current situation. A matrix of relationships among the factors for each main component of the DPSIR framework and their prioritization from the viewpoints of both groups, experts and stakeholders, was conducted. The results showed a match of 40% among the top priorities, with a 50% match for driving forces, 69% for pressures, 80% for state, 75% for impact, and 84% for response.
Discussion and Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the DPSIR approach serves as an effective framework for analyzing the causes and consequences of environmental and watershed resource issues. By identifying the root causes of problems, it provides appropriate management responses, enabling decision-makers and planners to develop comprehensive watershed management programs.
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