INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT FOR WATER SECURITY UNDER CLIMATE VARIABILITY
Abstract
This study investigates the role of integrated watershed management (IWM) in ensuring water security under conditions of climate variability. By combining land-use planning, soil and water conservation measures, and community-based governance, IWM seeks to optimize water availability, enhance ecosystem services, and reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events. Using a combination of hydrological modeling, GIS spatial analysis, and field surveys, the study evaluates water yield, storage capacity, and ecosystem health across multiple watersheds. Results indicate that IWM strategies significantly improve water retention, reduce runoff and erosion, and support sustainable agricultural and domestic water use. The findings provide a framework for scaling up watershed-level interventions to enhance resilience against climate-induced water stress.
Introduction
Global ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented levels of degradation due to anthropogenic pressures, including deforestation, land-use change, pollution, and climate change. Water resources are increasingly under pressure due to population growth, land-use changes, and climate variability. Extreme rainfall events, prolonged droughts, and shifting seasonal patterns disrupt water availability, threaten agriculture, and undermine socio-economic stability. Integrated watershed management (IWM) offers a holistic approach to managing water, soil, and land resources, aiming to enhance resilience and sustainability at the watershed scale. IWM emphasizes coordinated land-use planning, soil and water conservation, ecosystem restoration, and stakeholder participation to optimize water supply and reduce vulnerability. Despite its recognized potential, there is limited empirical evidence quantifying the hydrological and socio-ecological benefits of IWM under variable climate conditions.