Natural Resources Governance

Natural Resources Governance

Sustainable Wetland Governance through the Social-Ecological Systems Nexus: A Model for Transitioning to Compatible Livelihoods (Case Study: The Urmia Lake)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Leila Safa
Rohollah Rezaei
Ramesh Mehraban
Zeinab Nemati
Department of Agricultural Extension, Communication and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
10.22059/jnrg.2026.411124.1095
Abstract
The instability of wetland conservation initiatives and the conflict of interest between local communities and the environment represent a major challenge in the country's natural resource governance, limiting the effectiveness of policies based on command-and-control and strictly protectionist approaches. Addressing this critical issue through a Social-Ecological Systems (SES) approach, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the transition to wetland-compatible livelihoods and to provide an operational model for aligning economic interests with conservation goals in the Urmia Lake basin. This study is qualitative in nature and was conducted using Inductive Qualitative Content Analysis. The participants in the study comprised 21 academic experts, executive officials, and local community representatives selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and credibility and trustworthiness were confirmed through triangulation and member checking. Data analysis using MAXQDA 24 software revealed that the governance model for wetland livelihoods is underpinned by 5 main drivers and 22 key indicators. Findings indicated that the category of "Strengthening Institutional and Structural Capacities" carried the highest priority in the model, followed by "Social Capital and Legitimation," "Policy Coherence and Stakeholder Network," "Sustainable Financing Mechanisms and Green Economy," and "Education and Awareness." Overall, the findings indicate that the long-term sustainability of wetlands hinges on the "livelihood resilience" of local inhabitants; that is, when the livelihoods of residents possess sufficient capacity to withstand economic-ecological shocks and adapt to new conditions, their dependence on direct exploitation of limited wetland resources diminishes, and conservation incentives become internalized within their economic logic. This finding has significant implications for the governance system, suggesting that, beyond physical enclosures, effective policies must focus on reforming institutional structures, facilitating economic activity, and rebuilding social capital to escape the "livelihood trap."
Keywords
Compatible Livelihoods
Content Analysis
Participatory Governance
Social-Ecological System
Urmia Lake
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Natural Resources Governance
Volume 3, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 58-77