Integrated Watershed Management

Integrated Watershed Management

Developing Management Plans for the Goorsefid Watershed Using a Nested DPSIR Framework

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Gholamreza Khosravi 1
Vahedberdi Sheikh 1
Amir Sadoddin 1
Ali Shahbazi 2
Omid Asadi Nalivan 3
Ehsan Alvandi 4
Arash Zare Garizi 1
1 Department of Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2 Department of Arid and Mountain Regions Reclamation, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3 Department of Water resources engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran
4 Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
10.22034/iwm.2025.2066974.1242
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction: Integrated watershed management is a cornerstone of sustainable development, encompassing policies and actions aimed at conserving water and soil resources, preventing environmental degradation, and enhancing the quality of life for local communities. As natural units, watersheds play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance, preserving biodiversity, and supplying freshwater. Effective management requires a holistic approach—considering water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, and human activities—while integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions to create synergies. One widely used tool in this context is the DPSIR framework, which analyzes cause-and-effect relationships among system components. However, in its conventional form, DPSIR often merges driving forces and pressures, making it difficult to isolate the specific impact of each pressure on particular states. This limitation typically leads to generalized strategies. To address this issue, this study applies the nested DPSIR framework (Atkins et al., 2011) to develop targeted management strategies for the Goorsefid Watershed in Tehran Province, with active participation from local stakeholders.
Materials and Methods: The nested DPSIR process involved eight key steps: (1) constructing individual DPSIR cycles, (2) compiling a DPSIR table, (3) designing a conceptual map, (4) developing a decision matrix, (5) prioritizing pressures, (6) scoring responses based on pressure significance, (7) evaluating responses against watershed health and sustainability criteria, and (8) ranking responses. In this study, the environmental, economic, and social states of the watershed were assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively through literature review, field surveys, and stakeholder interviews. The remaining components were analyzed following the nested DPSIR methodology. Data were collected via questionnaires administered to 60 local residents and 25 experts and were validated by 12 specialists. Reliability and internal consistency were tested using Cronbach’s alpha, and a five-point Likert scale was used to assess the weight and importance of the DPSIR components.
Results and Discussion: Five key drivers were identified, leading to 18 major pressures. These pressures caused changes in 17 states and ultimately affected 23 ecosystem services. To address these challenges, 27 management strategies were proposed. The five highest-priority pressures—based on stakeholder feedback and their recurrence across multiple states—were: (1) land-use change and vegetation degradation, (2) lack of a coherent water-use system in agriculture and livestock, (3) overexploitation of surface and groundwater resources, (4) drought, and (5) issuance of grazing permits to non-local, non-pastoralist individuals. The proposed responses were categorized as follows: 11 physical, 6 political, 1 managerial, 5 economic, 1 socio-cultural, and 3 ecological. The nested DPSIR framework effectively illustrated the complex interactions between human and natural factors in a simplified and more accessible manner. As a methodological innovation, this study introduced a coding system for nested DPSIR components to reduce redundancy, maintain structural consistency, and improve visual understanding of interrelationships.
Conclusion: Applying the nested DPSIR framework—through mapping individual cycles, constructing interaction matrices, developing conceptual diagrams, conducting quantitative analysis, and prioritizing components—enabled the identification of causal relationships across all system elements. This approach provided a comprehensive understanding of watershed dynamics, supported precise goal-setting, facilitated issue prioritization, and ultimately guided the selection of the most effective management strategies. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying this framework not only enhances the decision-making process but also fosters active participation of local communities and promotes the integration of scientific knowledge with traditional experience. This approach may serve as a model for sustainable management of other watersheds across the country.
Keywords
Management strategies
Ecosystem
Causal Relationships
Prioritization of responses
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 26 July 2025
  • Revise Date 16 August 2025
  • Accept Date 12 October 2025