Examining the weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunities of Shulabad watershed in Lorestan Province to provide management solutions

Karimi Sangchini, Ebrahim; Arami, Seyed Hossein; Chamanpira, Reza

doi:10.22034/aes.2025.478059.1085

Examining the weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunities of Shulabad watershed in Lorestan Province to provide management solutions

Document Type : Original research article

Authors

Ebrahim Karimi Sangchini ¹

Seyed Hossein Arami ²

Reza Chamanpira ¹

¹ Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Lotestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Khorramabad, Iran

² Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran

10.22034/aes.2025.478059.1085

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunities in the Shulabad Watershed, which will be a prelude to determining comprehensive management strategies. An examination was conducted on the key sources of income and economic status of watershed residents, and the most significant environmental challenges stemming from existing economic activities were identified. Subsequently, the SWOT framework was utilized for strategy identification. A Likert five-point spectrum questionnaire, completed by two groups comprising experts and local communities, was employed to gauge the relative weights of internal and external factors. The Delphi technique was employed to ascertain the relative weights of these factors. Considering these factors, strategies were devised for achieving management objectives by pairing each internal and external factor. The reliability of the questionnaires was calculated using Cronbach's alpha method of 0.89. The existence of lands prone to garden development and the conversion of low yielding rainfed lands to gardens with a rating of 0.253 were recognized as the most important components of strengths. Traditional animal husbandry, the imbalance between livestock and the capacity of pastures in the region, and excessive density of livestock in pastures were selected as the most important weaknesses with a rank of 0.25. The tendency of non-native people to invest was recognized as the most important component of opportunity with a rank of 0.215. Partiality and non-implementation of the land preparation program was selected as the most important threat in this watershed with a rating of 0.301. The stockholders of Shulabad Watershed have a desire to create gardens instead of rainfed cultivation with very low efficiency, so it is necessary to provide facilities and educational and promotion programs in order to expand this importance. Reverse migration can be provided by helping alternative livelihoods, especially the development of gardens and tourism.

Highlights

Land suitable for orchards is a key strength for Shulabad Watershed.
Overgrazing and livestock imbalance degrade Shulabad's environment.
Non-native investment offers economic growth for Shulabad.
Poor land management threatens Shulabad's sustainable development.
Tourism potential in Shulabad is high but lacks promotion.

Keywords

Comprehensive management

Delphi technique

Stockholders

SWOT framework

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