Priorities for Adaptation to Water Scarcity in Arid Regions from the Perspective of Local Stakeholders: Taybad Region in Northeast Iran

Climate change and increasing population growth have made the problem of water scarcity in arid regions a serious challenge to the sustainability of many human settlements. Investigating the perspectives and priorities of local stakeholders plays a key role in the success of water scarcity adaptation programs and has received less attention and consideration in previous studies. Using Q methodology, this study analyzed water scarcity adaptation strategies in Taybad County from the perspective of key actors. For this purpose, first, a discourse space for local adaptation strategies was created through content analysis of 20 interviews with local experts, which, after refining and categorizing, 30 key propositions of water scarcity adaptation strategies were categorized into 6 axial components. Then, the selected propositions were prioritized using a Q-table by 35 local activists who were selected through purposive sampling. Finally, the collected data were analyzed in KADE software using principal component analysis (PCA) and Varimax rotation. Based on the research findings, emphasis on educational-promotional activities, institutional interventions, and water resource consumption management constitute three local perspectives on water scarcity adaptation strategies, respectively, which suggest the development and facilitation of non-agricultural jobs and strengthening institutions to improve the efficiency and productivity of water resources.