Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Natural Resources Policy-Making, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj. Iran.
2
Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
3
Department of Architecture, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
5
Rural Development Center, Natural Hazards Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/gsma.2026.2061446.1085
Abstract
1. Introduction
Watershed management is an integrated approach for protecting water and soil resources, improving ecosystems, and reducing environmental risks. Co-management, involving local stakeholders, is vital for addressing water scarcity and climate change. Trust among stakeholders is crucial for decision-making, and Social Network Analysis (SNA) helps assess collaboration. Economic, social, and land ownership factors influence participation. Khoda Afarin faces soil erosion and floods, requiring trust-based strategies, yet research gaps remain. This study analyzes trust networks to enhance watershed management.
2. Methodology
Khoda Afrin District, located in the northeastern part of East Azerbaijan Province, borders the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Ardabil Province. With a population of approximately 34,977 people, this region faces significant challenges, including widespread migration and a decline in job opportunities. The economy of the region is primarily dependent on agriculture and livestock farming. However, climate change and soil erosion have resulted in a decrease in productivity. Projects such as the Khoda Afrin Dam and the Aras Free Zone have had an impact on the development of the. The Aras River is the main source of water, but soil erosion and frequent floods pose serious threats. Integrated watershed management is essential to address these challenges and achieve sustainable development through co-management.
The research method of this study is a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both survey and applied methods. Data were collected through a social network analysis questionnaire, face-to-face interviews, and direct observation. The statistical population consists of 40 members of the Rural Development and Progress Association in three villages: Sharfe, Bastamlou, and Dormoshkelano. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by expert opinions, and its reliability was verified with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 92%. To evaluate the components of social capital, a Likert scale was used. Social network analysis, using UCINET software, was employed to examine the relationships among stakeholders and design participatory management. Various network indices, such as density, centralization, and average geodesic distance, were analyzed to assess interactions and natural resource management.
3. Results
The results of the study showed that in the selected villages, the highest population is in the age group under 40, with Bostamlou having the highest percentage of people under 40, and Sharfe having the highest percentage of people aged 50 to 60 and over 60. Regarding gender distribution, in all the villages, men outnumber women, and the greatest gender disparity was observed in the village of Sharfe. Additionally, Bastamlou has a more balanced gender distribution compared to the other villages. Regarding household structure, Bastamlou has the highest percentage of large households, while Dormoshkelano has the highest percentage of small households. In terms of social networks, Bastamlou has the highest trust network density, while Dormoshkelano has the highest collaborative network density. In examining the concentration of in-degree and out-degree in social networks, Bastamlou has the highest in-degree concentration in the collaborative network. In Dormoshkenlo, the highest out-degree concentration is in the trust network, and in Sharfe, the in-degree concentration in both trust and collaborative networks is evenly distributed. Finally, the reciprocity, transferability, and average geodesic distance indices also indicated differences in the trust and collaborative networks among the villages.
4. Discussion
The findings of the research indicate that the structure of social networks among local stakeholders in the three studied villages impacts the success of participatory management. In the village of Bastamlou, with a younger population and larger households, there is greater social cohesion and trust, leading to higher participation. In contrast, in the village of Sharfe, with an older population and smaller households, the networks are weaker, and participation is lower (Persdzink et al., 2022). The analyses show that in Bastamlou, participation and trust are more evenly distributed, and the relationships are more stable, while in Sharfe and Dormoshkelano, the high concentration of certain individuals in the networks leads to reduced cooperation and cohesion (Ghobani et al., 2025). Additionally, the transitivity of ties in Bastamlou is higher, contributing to greater network stability and participation, while in Sharfe, this transitivity is lower. The findings also indicate that the reduction in geodesic distance in Bastamlou facilitates faster exchange of information and participation (Jiang et al., 2015; Ari et al., 2024).
5. Conclusion
The results of the analysis of the social networks of local stakeholders in three villages of Khoda Afarin district show that the existence of dense networks and bidirectional, stable relationships are key prerequisites for effective participatory management in the watershed area. The village of Bastamlou, with greater social cohesion and more active participation, offers an appropriate model. To improve other villages, strengthening social capital and building trust among stakeholders is essential. It is recommended to identify central actors and hold educational workshops to create stronger social networks. Additionally, in villages with an older population, new social ties should be established. These findings align with the research of Jarrigo et al. (2024), which has shown that high social capital leads to increased trust and improved decision-making processes in natural resource management.
Author Contributions
In the preparation and writing of this article, all authors have contributed equally and jointly. All stages of the research, from study design and data collection to analysis of results and final writing of the article, are the result of collaboration and collective agreement of all authors.
Data Availability Statement
Data available on request from the authors.
Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to everyone who assisted us in conducting this research.
Ethical Considerations
All authors affirm that this research was conducted in accordance with ethical standards, with no data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.
Funding
This research was conducted with the support of the Natural Disasters Research Institute and the Social Business Institute of the University of Tehran. The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to these institutions for their valuable support.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest
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