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A Metacoupling Framework for Exploring Transboundary Watershed Management

Author

Listed:
  • Leandra Merz

    (Geography Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Di Yang

    (Spatial Analysis Lab, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA)

  • Vanessa Hull

    (Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

Abstract

Water is crucial for ecosystem health and socioeconomic development, but water scarcity is becoming a global concern. Management of transboundary watersheds is inherently challenging and has the potential to lead to conflict over the allocation of water resources. The metacoupling framework, which explores the relationships between coupled human and natural systems that are nested within multiple different scales, has been proposed to inform more holistic management of transboundary watersheds. This paper provides the first attempt to apply a metacoupling framework to a transboundary watershed for an improved integrated understanding of this complex system at multiple spatial scales. It does so with the transnational Limpopo River watershed in Southern Africa, which covers 1.3% of the continent and supports the livelihoods of 18.8 million people living in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a growing gap between water availability and demand; the primary drivers are population growth and agriculture expansion. The novelty of the paper is outlining the importance of applying a metacoupling framework to transboundary watersheds, identifying the limitations to this application, and providing a detailed assessment of the steps needed to complete this application. We also identify directions for future research including application of a metacoupling framework to other transboundary watersheds and exploration of spillover effects and externalities within this and other transboundary watersheds.

Suggested Citation

  • Leandra Merz & Di Yang & Vanessa Hull, 2020. "A Metacoupling Framework for Exploring Transboundary Watershed Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:1879-:d:327310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Jian Tao & Yujie Xie & Haoyuan Zhou & Yuqian Xu & Guangshuai Zhao, 2022. "Cross-County Characteristics of Water–Ecology–Economy Coupling Coordination in the Wuding River Watershed, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Xia Xu & Fengping Wu & Qianwen Yu & Xiangnan Chen & Yue Zhao, 2022. "Analysis on Management Policies on Water Quantity Conflict in Transboundary Rivers Embedded with Virtual Water—Using Ili River as the Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, August.
    5. Zhiqiang Zhao & Meng Cai & Thomas Connor & Min Gon Chung & Jianguo Liu, 2020. "Metacoupled Tourism and Wildlife Translocations Affect Synergies and Trade-Offs among Sustainable Development Goals across Spillover Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-22, September.

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