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Water resources at the basin level are affected by climate change in the form of available water scarcity and multiple droughts leading to conflicts among different water users, especially between the agricultural sector and wetland services. However, owing to the multidimensional and multi-scalar nature of water management and climate change, it is needed to integrate tools to analyze impacts and adaptation. Accordingly, the current study presents an economic-hydrological-behavioral modeling to evaluate potential effects of climate change and adaptation strategies on irrigated agriculture and to manage water resources conflicts among different water users and uses in basins. This model has an iterative framework between a farm-based multi-objectives optimization model, a water evaluating and planning model (WEAP), and an agent-based model, which can represent socio-economic, hydrologic, agronomic and behavioral systems covering all dimensions and scales related to climate change. For this purpose, the economic-hydrological-behavioral modelling was applied in a case study in the Halilrud Basin in Kerman Province, Iran. Results revealed that adoption of suitable adaptive strategies and measures could mitigate the effects of climate change and provide more water to restore the Jazmourian Wetland in this basin. Additionally, the results indicated that different forms of rigidity in the individual behavior of farmers slowed down the adaptation of the agricultural sector, so that implementation of adaptive strategies led to only 14% less water consumption.

Both increasing competition for water among farmers and chemical pollution due to current agricultural practices have led to unsustainability in the Kamfirooz region in the Province of Fars, Iran. The effects of management practice need to be analysed so that we do not veer from a sustainable path for the future. The suggested model combines a biophysical model (WinEPIC) and a mathematical programming model of farmers' economic behaviour with game theory to provide a more realistic representation of economic agri-environmental attitudes. This article investigated the optimal solutions for the conflicting objectives between the two relevant players, namely farmers and the community. The results indicated that it is possible to manage sustainable agricultural systems and the protection of resources by applying the appropriate management practices.

Summary Preserving natural wetlands is a growing challenge as the world faces increased demand for water. Drought, climate change and growing demands by users aggravate the issue. The conflict between irrigated agriculture and wetland services presents a classic case of competition. This paper examines an institutional mechanism that offers an incentive to farmers to adopt water conservation measures, which in turn could reduce overall water use in irrigated agriculture within a selected basin. Reduced water demands could provide the additional water needed for wetland preservation. We present an analytical empirical model implemented through the development of an integrated basin framework, in which least-cost measures for securing environmental flows to sustain wetlands are examined for the Zayandeh-Rud River Basin of central Iran. To test this idea, two policies – one with and one without an incentive – are analyzed: (a) reduced agricultural diversions without a water conservation subsidy, and (b) reduced agricultural diversions with a water conservation subsidy. The policies are evaluated against a background of two alternative water supply scenarios over a 10-year period. Results reveal that a water conservation subsidy can provide incentives for farmers to shift out of flood irrigation and bring more land into production by adopting water-saving irrigation technologies. The policy increases crop yields, raises profitability of farming, and increases the shadow price of water. Although the conservation subsidy policy incurs a financial cost to the taxpayer, it could be politically and economically attractive for both irrigators and environmental stakeholders. Results open the door for further examination of policy measures to preserve wetlands.

Water is a major constraint to development of all countries with low water access, especially those located in arid and semi-arid areas with heavy dependence on agriculture. Water scarcity due to long-term droughts, increased demand, and mismanagement of the available water resources has threaten the sustainability of agricultural development. The need of more food production for growing population drives the agricultural sector to manage the water resources in a sustainable way. Water sustainability encompasses different dimensions which need to be addressed clearly by appropriate indices. The Agricultural Water Poverty Index as an assessment tool measures the level of agricultural water poverty as the most important construct that influences agricultural water management. It encompasses a variety of water-related aspects including availability and access to water resources, capacities to manage available water usage and finally environmental factors affecting availability of water resources. Each aspect needed to be translated into practical and subtle indicators to demonstrate what it is intended to measure, and also to jointly measure the Agricultural Water Poverty Index. Accurately and reasonable selection of indicators needs to apply a suitable framework which increases scientific credibility of water assessment.