Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD student in Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desert Studies, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
2 Professor, Rangeland and Watershed Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desertology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
In integrated watershed management, assessing the status and dynamics of watershed health is essential as a fundamental tool for identifying and implementing effective management responses. Diagnosing the issues affecting water and soil resources, along with identifying the causes of various problems in watersheds, constitutes a critical step toward sustainable natural resource management. This understanding not only enables the analysis of threatening factors but also provides a basis for identifying appropriate solutions to protect and restore watershed resources. The DPSIR framework (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, and Response) serves as a comprehensive analytical model, capable of explaining the causal relationships among various factors and effectively evaluating watershed health. The aim of this research is to use the DPSIR framework for a comprehensive analysis of watershed health status and to identify key factors contributing to its decline, with a focus on the watershed area draining to the Ilam Dam, in order to propose effective and sustainable management solutions.
Materials and methods
To accurately identify the factors related to each component of the DPSIR framework, a systematic review of the literature and previous studies was conducted through library research to gather theoretical background and scientific resources. Field visits to the watershed were then undertaken to assess the current conditions and directly observe the natural and human factors affecting the region. Additionally, brainstorming sessions and semi-structured interviews with experts and local stakeholders, including residents of the watershed area, were carried out to collect comprehensive information on the issues and influencing factors. Based on the preliminary findings, a questionnaire was designed and its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure reliability, and the results indicated an acceptable level of reliability. The survey, using a Likert scale, was administered to 20 experts and 20 local residents of the watershed. To analyze the data and prioritize factors from the participants' perspectives, Friedman’s test was used to determine the relative importance of each factor within the DPSIR framework.
Results and discussion
The findings show that in the studied watershed, five driving forces have led to 34 distinct pressures on watershed resources, which in turn have caused 11 unfavorable states. These states have also resulted in 20 unintended impacts. Additionally, 32 management responses were proposed to improve the current situation. The relationships among the factors within each of the main components of the DPSIR framework were examined and prioritized based on the views of both experts and stakeholders. According to the results, the alignment of shared priorities within the top 40% of the most important factors was as follows: 50% for driving forces, 69% for pressures, 80% for states, 75% for impacts, and 84% for responses.
Conclusions
Planning and policymaking aimed at achieving sustainable economic, social, and environmental development require access to accurate and comprehensive information about the conditions and dynamics of watersheds. The results of this study indicate that identifying and implementing appropriate management strategies can play a decisive role in improving the health of natural resources and watershed ecosystems. This research was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing management responses to improve the environmental conditions of the study area. The analyses, carried out using the DPSIR approach as an effective cause–effect analytical framework, provided valuable tools for identifying the main problems and challenges of the watershed. Moreover, the study identified the key factors and pressures impacting natural resources. Therefore, the proposed management responses can serve as practical solutions for improving current conditions and preventing future problems in the sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems in the targeted area. These management responses play a significant role not only from a scientific perspective but also in the practical implementation of comprehensive watershed management programs, offering actionable guidance for decision-makers to enhance the state of natural resources and ecosystems.
Keywords
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