Use of of structural systems analysis for the integrated water resources management in the Nenetzingo river watershed, Mexico

摘要

Currently, many parts of the world are facing challenges resulting from poor water quality and water scarcity. To achieve water sustainability under this scenario, the main causes of water problems must be addressed while simultaneously dealing with their consequences. The development of a systemic perspective of water management is vital for facing such challenges. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is one approach that analyzes water management from a systemic perspective, and structured systems analysis is a generalized and complementary approach that can facilitate the analysis of water management systems. The objective of this study was to perform a structural analysis of the water management system of the Nenetzingo River watershed (Mexico), with the goal of providing strategic and tactical guidance for the integrated water resources management of the watershed. Thus, in this study, a structural analytical method (cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification [MICMAC]) and a strategic planning perspective were employed. Modifications to the MICMAC method were necessary to comply with the objectives of the present study, leading to the proposal of an enhanced MICMAC method, denominated e-MICMAC. Overall, 49 variables were identified as relevant to the water management system of Nenetzingo, of which eight strongly influence the other variables and 10 are dependent on the dynamics of the system. In addition, nine variables serve as links between the influential and the dependent variables, while 18 variables were unable to be clearly characterized. Finally, three variables were excluded from the systems analysis without impact. Of the total variables, 22 were found to be essential to the system's dynamics and were considered key variables. These key variables were then used to provide strategic and tactical guidance for the IWRM of the study basin. In conclusion, the structural analysis approach enabled the structure of the studied system to be elucidated. The variables that constituted the system were determined in addition to their relationships of influence or dependence. Lastly, the complexity of the analysis was reduced through the determination of key variables. The present structural analysis represents an important tool for achieving the sustainability of water resources in the Nenetzingo watershed and can strengthen planning measures in both the short and the long term while facilitates the definition of scenarios for the implementation.