Combined Application of Pressure-State-Response and Strategic Planning Approaches in Integerated and Problem-Oriented Management f the Makhsaz Watershed in Western Mazandaran, Iran

Watershed management projects are designed and implemented to protect primary resources (i.e., water, soil, and vegetation) and sustain production by maintaining soil fertility and agricultural sustainability, so understanding the problems of the watershed is an undeniable necessity for future planning and implementation of natural resources management. Effective management of the country's natural resources and control of their degradation based on explanation and adoption of a coherent structure and framework to properly identify watershed problems and determine the appropriate strategy to determine the implementation of measures as an emerging approach to watershed management is essential. Therefore, in the present study, a model approach of combining pressure-state-response and strategic planning approaches in comprehensive management and problem-oriented watershed management was used.

In this study, the PSR conceptual model was used to identify the problem of the Mikhsaz watershed. Appropriate criteria for identifying problems were evaluated in four categories of climatic factors: hydrology, human and. In this regard, the indicators and criteria affecting the river basin were summarized after examining the autocorrelation and alignment between the criteria. Due to the different sources of information, all data were standardized for criteria with positive and negative effects on the health of the region, respectively. The main problems in different parts of the watershed were identified based on the value of each of the factors affecting the class. Qualitative and quantitative strategic analysis has also been used to determine the optimal strategy. In the next stage, the analysis of internal and external factors, after identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, internal and external tables were created and analyzed. Finally, Quantitative Strategic Planning (QSPM) analysis was prepared. Finally, strategies for managing the Makhsaz watershed were presented.

The results showed that the main problem of the Mikhsaz watershed is related to the limitation of soil depth, which is exacerbated by changes land-use and increased specific erosion and, increases flood damage. Therefore, with with should be omitted the intervention of human factors, especially land-use change has led to problems. Among the considered criteria, soil depth, land use changes, and special erosion, respectively, had the worst situation with scores of 0.40, 0.51, and 0.53, respectively, which caused disturbances in the performance of the watershed. Focusing on the main and determining problems is of special importance. ST is also a good strategy. Achieving maximum utilization of internal strengths and advantages to deal with and minimize external threats and damage. Also, the result of quantitative strategic planning analysis showed that the should be added first should be omitted priority is given to the strategy of reducing resource degradation and then strategies to reduce temporary and permanent migration, increase household income and strengthen soil and water conservation programs with attractiveness scores of 1.58 and 52.5, respectively. 1, 1.51, and 1.50 are the next priorities. Therefore, with the existing opportunities and strengths, the weaknesses and threats in the study watershed can be overcome.

The present study was conducted to identify the problems of the should be added watershed in western Mazandaran using the conceptual model of pressure-state-response (PSR) and determine the optimal strategy for problem management using SWOT analysis. The results showed that the main problems of the Mikhsaz watershed include limited soil depth, land-use changes, and special erosion. Also, the result of quantitative strategic planning analysis showed that first first should be omitted priority is given to the strategy of reducing resource degradation. The results of the study indicate the need for executive measures commensurate with the type and importance of each of the factors affecting the study indicators in the river basin. Therefore, the strategy of using the potential advantages of environmental opportunities should be used to compensate for the weaknesses in the watershed.