Ecosystem services and integrated water resource management: different paths to the same end?

Area of Science:

• Water Resource Management
• Environmental Science
• Sustainability Science

Background:

• Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Ecosystem Services (ES) are dominant frameworks in water research.
• Both IWRM and ES face criticism regarding their conceptual and methodological compatibility with practical management and governance.
• A significant 'implementation gap' exists between the theoretical concepts and their application in water resource management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue that IWRM and ES have converged into conceptually similar frameworks.
• To highlight that both concepts share the critical challenge of implementation.
• To advocate for confronting implementation challenges directly rather than pursuing new concepts.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of IWRM and ES frameworks.
• Analysis of critiques and debates within academic literatures.
• Synthesis of arguments regarding conceptual convergence and implementation barriers.

Main Results:

• IWRM and ES have evolved to become nearly identical in their conceptual underpinnings.
• The primary obstacle for both frameworks is the persistent 'implementation gap'.
• The focus on conceptual development has overshadowed the critical need to address practical implementation issues.

Conclusions:

• Water resource management must prioritize addressing the implementation gap over developing new theoretical concepts.
• Sustainable utilization of dwindling water resources requires practical solutions to management and governance challenges.
• Future research and management efforts should focus on bridging the divide between IWRM and ES theory and practice.