Governance and political ecology in the management of multifunctional irrigation. Application to the agroecological corridor El Hondo-Los Carrizales (Alicante)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7203/CGUV.103.16014Keywords:
governance, political ecology, irrigation, agroecological corridor, El Hondo, Los Carrizales, Alicante
Abstract
The management of multifunctional irrigation has been debated both in terms of the concern for its socio-economic and environmental impact, and discussions about the public-private interests that emanate from its promotion. According to this, questions about who takes part of the decision-making processes and to what extent they participate or exert some control or influence on the whole stakeholders focus the debate about its legitimacy and governance. This article delves into these aspects from the analysis of a case study, the agroecological corridor formed by the El Hondo Natural Park and Los Carrizales Agrarian Natural Park (Elche, Alicante). From semi-structured interviews and questionnaires and in order to deepen on its management model and the power relations between key stakeholders, the paper analyses 1) the issues that generate the greatest concern and debate on the El Hondo-Los Carrizales agroecological system and 2) the level of governance in decision-making process. Results show a lack of social recognition towards the multifunctionality of both parks, as well as the need to strengthen its management in an integrated and adaptive way, thereby increasing its resilience to the impacts of climate change and maximizing its agronomic potential, both key aspects for the survival of the agroecological system of El Hondo-Los Carrizales.
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