Watersheds as Social-Ecological Systems

Abstract

Watersheds are platforms for interaction of human and natural systems in common scenarios of IWRM. As a discipline, watershed management is similar to IWRM because it also focuses on coordinated management of water, land, and related resources. It builds on watershed science, which explains how watersheds function, and the concept of social-ecological systems offers a tool for analysis of watersheds in IWRM situations. Watershed models provide the capability to simulate the responses of natural systems to natural forces or human activities. Watershed studies should address social issues along with physical situations. Using a social-ecological perspective requires recognition of the social sciences through interdisciplinary collaboration. Watersheds provide venues for social and political issues to be addressed, but they can be challenging.