Environmental governance for water security in the Tabacay River sub-basin
Abstract
The Tabacay River sub-basin faces critical challenges in achieving sustainable water and biodiversity management. Key conditioning factors such as anthropogenic pressure, climate change, and fragmented governance threaten water security, ecological balance, and the well-being of local communities. This research proposes an environmental governance model based on a systemic approach that reinforces water security within the Ecuadorian context. The model is based on a comprehensive understanding of nature and composed of five key dimensions: Participation, Transparency and Accountability, Decentralization, Actors (stakeholders) and Management Constraints. The research uses a methodology based on a cross-sectional survey and an exploratory factor analysis, applied to the population of the sub-basin. The findings identify 29 determinants of environmental governance, supported by robust statistical validation. This model provides an empirical basis for the analysis of environmental governance in similar contexts and suggests recommendations for the design of public policies that promote more inclusive and sustainable environmental management.
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