Characterizing the Green Watershed Index (GWI) in the Razey Watershed, Meshginshahr County, NW Iran

Akbar Irani, Roghayeh Jahdi (), Zeinab Hazbavi, Raoof Mostafazadeh and Abazar Esmali Ouri
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Akbar Irani: Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran
Roghayeh Jahdi: Department of Forest Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran
Zeinab Hazbavi: Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Water Management Research Center, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran
Raoof Mostafazadeh: Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Water Management Research Center, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran
Abazar Esmali Ouri: Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Water Management Research Center, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-21

Abstract: This paper presents the Green Watershed Index (GWI) methodology, focusing on the 17 sustainability indicators selected in the Razey watershed, NW Iran. Field surveys and data collection have provided the possibility of field inspection and measurement of the present condition of the watershed and the indicators taken. Based on the degree of compliance with the required process, each indicator was scored from 0 to 10 and classified into three categories: unsustainable, semi-sustainable, and sustainable. Using the Entropy method to assign weight to each indicator and formulating a proportional mathematical relationship, the GWI score for each sub-watershed was derived. Spatial changes regarding the selected indicators and, consequently, the GWI were detected in the study area. Development of water infrastructure, particularly in the upstream sub-watersheds, plays a great role in increasing the GWI score. The highest weight is related to environmental productivity (0.26), and the five indicators of water footprint, knowledge management and information quality system, landscape attractiveness, waste recycling, and corruption control have approximately zero weight due to their monotonous spatial distribution throughout sub-watersheds. Only sub-watershed R1 has the highest score (5.13), indicating a semi-sustainable condition. The rest of the sub-watersheds have unsustainable conditions (score below 5). Concerning the GWI, the watershed is facing a critical situation, necessitating the implementation of management and conservation strategies that align with the sustainability level of each sub-watershed.

Keywords: green watershed; monitoring indicators; sustainability; water resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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