Assessment of comprehensiveness of soil conservation measures using the DPSIR framework

The assessment of comprehensiveness of soil conservation measures (SCMs), along with economic, social, and environmental assessments of these projects, is a prerequisite for good governance in a watershed. This study was conducted using the cause-and-effect framework of DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) to assess the comprehensiveness of SCMs in reducing the soil erosion potential of the Kond watershed area and its adverse impacts. Horticultural, mining, and ranching activities; population growth; and road network development were identified as the most important driving forces of the watershed. After determining the indicators, the integrated index was calculated based on weight calculation and standardization of values to detect changes before and after the implementation of SCMs. The results showed a decrease in soil erosion and the corresponding adverse impacts in 2019 compared with the base year, 1997, so that according to the integrated index, the soil erosion status and related impacts have decreased by 16 and 35%, respectively. Despite this decline, the watershed still has a high rate of soil erosion (26.27 t ha^-1 year^-1). This is because SCMs are more focused on improving the state and impacts, and there are no necessary managerial responses to the components of the driving forces and pressures. Given that the proactive approach has less contribution than the reactive approach in SCMs, in addition to the reactive approach, it is necessary to pay more attention to the proactive approach to reduce the soil erosion rate of the watershed and decrease the relevant negative impacts.