Khuzestan Province was examined in terms of water resources and hydropolitical conditions over the period 2006–2016. This study employed a descriptive–analytical approach using both quantitative and qualitative data, based on the Falkenmark index, RWST, and Maximum Irrigable Land Index (MILI). The results indicate a significant deterioration in the province’s water resources during this period, with several river basins, particularly the Hendijan basin, experiencing severe water crisis conditions. The findings show that the main drivers of the water crisis include climate change, patterns of water exploitation, and water governance and management policies. Among these factors, “water governance and management” and “patterns of water use” had the greatest impact on hydropolitical conditions, while transboundary factors and inter-basin water transfer had the least impact. The consequences of this situation include shrinkage and reduced depth of wetlands, increased dust storms, declining air quality, and intensified environmental stress. The novelty of this study lies in the integration of three hydropolitical quantitative indices and their linkage with environmental change analysis across river basins in Khuzestan Province, providing a comprehensive picture of the intensification of the crisis. Finally, the results suggest that revising water management policies, improving cropping and consumption patterns, and adopting modern irrigation systems are essential strategies for mitigating the water crisis in Khuzestan Province. In addition, ensuring environmental water rights and strengthening integrated water governance can significantly reduce the hydropolitical and environmental consequences of the crisis.
Mehrabi, A. , Farshchin, S. and Hashemi, R. (2026). Analysis of the impact of the water crisis on the hydropolitics of Khuzestan Province with regard to environmental challenges and consequences. Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, 17(44), -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.74897.2939
MLA
Mehrabi, A. , , Farshchin, S. , and Hashemi, R. . "Analysis of the impact of the water crisis on the hydropolitics of Khuzestan Province with regard to environmental challenges and consequences", Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, 17, 44, 2026, -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.74897.2939
HARVARD
Mehrabi, A., Farshchin, S., Hashemi, R. (2026). 'Analysis of the impact of the water crisis on the hydropolitics of Khuzestan Province with regard to environmental challenges and consequences', Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, 17(44), pp. -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.74897.2939
CHICAGO
A. Mehrabi , S. Farshchin and R. Hashemi, "Analysis of the impact of the water crisis on the hydropolitics of Khuzestan Province with regard to environmental challenges and consequences," Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, 17 44 (2026): -, doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.74897.2939
VANCOUVER
Mehrabi, A., Farshchin, S., Hashemi, R. Analysis of the impact of the water crisis on the hydropolitics of Khuzestan Province with regard to environmental challenges and consequences. Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, 2026; 17(44): -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.74897.2939
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