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Drivers of innovation in groundwater governance. The links between the social and the ecological systems

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  • Delgado-Serrano, María Mar
  • Borrego-Marin, María Mar

Abstract

Global groundwater overexploitation positions groundwater governance as a critical issue for improving sustainable water management. Evidence of aquifer recovery after overexploitation is scattered, as is the research on the drivers behind recovery. The Fuencaliente Aquifer in Spain faced a tragedy of the commons situation, but after an innovative governance arrangement was implemented, the aquifer is gradually recovering. In this research, we identify the drivers that made possible the emergence and acceptance of such an arrangement using the social-ecological system framework. We identified external drivers such as market incentives and limited enforcement capacity of the water authority as the main factors that led to groundwater depletion, but we also found that these same drivers, under a new regulatory framework that reinforced monitoring and sanctioning capacities, are the basis for the effective recovery of the aquifer. Internal drivers such as the socioeconomic attributes of the users, their limited collective action and the power differences between traditional and commercial farmers are also critical in explaining the acceptance of the new governance arrangement. Even if these drivers are context-specific, we identified innovations that might be transferable and contribute to the literature on good practices in groundwater governance and management.

Suggested Citation

  • Delgado-Serrano, María Mar & Borrego-Marin, María Mar, 2020. "Drivers of innovation in groundwater governance. The links between the social and the ecological systems," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:91:y:2020:i:c:s0264837719304545
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104368
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samaneh Ghafoori-Kharanagh & Mohammad Ebrahim Banihabib & Saman Javadi & Timothy O. Randhir, 2021. "Participatory Water-Food-Energy Nexus Approach for Evaluation and Design of Groundwater Governance," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 35(11), pages 3481-3495, September.

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