Author:

Keywords:

DPSIR;, sustainable development, river basin management;, water management, water policy, Katari River Basin, Bolivia, Science & Technology, Technology, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Civil, Water Resources, Engineering, DPSIR, river basin management, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, CONTAMINATION, INDICATORS, IMPACTS, 0905 Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, 4005 Civil engineering

Abstract:

The drivers–pressures–state–impact–responses (DPSIR) framework has been used widely to support environmental policy developments. However, we argue that DPSIR tends to oversimplify the complexity behind socio-ecological systems. Based on the Katari River Basin in Bolivia, we explore how the incorporation of spatial and social considerations may enhance DPSIR applications. The results reveal a spatial mismatch between driving forces/pressures and policy responses, and severe impacts on the vulnerable communities. Moreover, we also show that local levels tend to be neglected. The study concludes that integrating spatial and social characteristics in the DPSIR may result in valuable implications for river basin management practitioners.