The Role of Integrated Watershed Management in Reducing the Impacts of Drought and Enhancing Sustainable Resilience

Abstract

Drought, particularly in arid and semi-arid climates, is a destructive phenomenon with profound hydrological, ecological, economic, and social consequences. The increasing frequency and severity of drought events, driven by natural processes and further intensified by human activities, necessitate a fundamental reassessment of existing management approaches. Integrated watershed management, through its holistic approach to managing water resources, soil, vegetation, and human interactions at the natural watershed scale, has been recognized as one of the most effective strategies for mitigating the impacts of drought. This review was conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of integrated watershed management in reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience to drought. First, the key concepts of watershed management and the various dimensions of drought are introduced, followed by a discussion of the mechanisms linking drought to the hydrological characteristics of watersheds. Subsequently, the wide-ranging impacts of drought at different levels are examined, followed by a comprehensive analysis of the strategic role of various watershed management interventions including soil and water conservation, vegetation restoration, surface and groundwater resources management, land-use adaptation, and the strengthening of local community participation in mitigating the impacts of drought. The findings of this review demonstrate that the watershed management approach, with its emphasis on ecosystem-based and community-based strategies, can enhance water storage capacity within watersheds, reduce soil erosion and land degradation, improve the sustainability of agricultural and livestock production, and ultimately strengthen the long-term resilience of coupled human–natural systems against future water scarcity challenges. Finally, the findings are synthesized, and recommendations are proposed to facilitate the more effective implementation of integrated watershed management as a means of enhancing drought adaptation and achieving sustainable development.