A novel watershed viability assessment grounded in global sustainable development goals

The current study will deal with the problem of natural resource degradation, presenting a new, multifaceted approach to the measurement of watershed health. This idea determines the capacity of a watershed to be structurally and functionally sound within a safe operating interval that has its upper (i.e., resilience) and lower (i.e., release) limits. The method extends beyond the analogous concepts by quantitatively prognosing the nearness of a system to highly sensitive breaking points, by providing a dynamically diagnostic framework and management recommendations. The viability was determined at economic, social, infrastructural, and environmental dimensions. Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Index (CVI) were used to validate criteria refinement with expert input (n=40) used to refine criteria. A complex viability index was calculated on these criteria, and interrelationships between them investigated by Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis. The framework was applied to the Shazand Watershed in Iran and determined a moderate-depletion state with a weighted mean index of viability of 41.46% (±5.74). Spatial zoning map showed central sub-watersheds to be the most vulnerable. A SDGs-based performance evaluation revealed that SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) were the most successful (80.63% and 62.59%). On the other hand, the lowest scores were received by SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) (30.71% and 33.40%). The conceptualized model and its pilot application demonstrates a critical and transferable instrument for assessing watershed viability that decision-makers should use to develop comprehensive and specific watershed management plans. • Watershed viability was innovatively conceptualized using a range of criteria. • Watershed viability was assessed based on SDGs in the Shazand Watershed, Iran. • New model utilized resilience/ release thresholds for assessing watershed health. • The Shazand Watershed is 41% viable, a moderate but declining state. • Social and economic dimensions are most critical for the watershed's viability.