Water Flows Toward Power: Socioecological Degradation of Lake Urmia, Iran

摘要: Water is an invaluable resource, and equitable access to it a fundamental human right. Disenfranchised groups often lose water resources because their interests are not well represented by decision makers. Excluding these from resource management policy results in myopic decisions that contribute further ecosystem damage. We describe the ecological degradation of Lake Urmia Iran, which has recently experienced increased salinity declining quantity. The lake UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Ramsar site, supports unique biodiversity region. lake's decline driven destruction Zagros forests government's policies, diverted more politically connected agricultural land users, increasing social inequity prompting deforestation. most straightforward restoration solution discontinue diversions allow critical inflows recharge Urmia, preserving wetlands for migratory bird...