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<p>Conflicts over shared groundwater resources pose growing challenges for rural communities in arid and semi-arid regions. However, empirical evidence on how social, spatial, and attitudinal factors shape different stages of water conflict in shared-well systems remains limited. This study examines the dynamics of water conflicts among farmers who rely on shared wells in rural Iran. Data were collected through a survey of 214 farmers, and relationships between social, spatial, and attitudinal factors and different stages of conflict (latent, perceived, felt, and manifest) were examined. The findings indicate that the felt conflict stage—where individuals emotionally experience tension related to resource use—is the most prevalent stage among farmers. Spatial inequalities in access to shared wells are associated with higher levels of conflict, suggesting that unequal physical access to groundwater can intensify tensions among water users. Farmers with larger landholdings tend to perceive less manifest conflict, while environmental attitudes also shape perceptions of water disputes. In particular, positive attitudes toward water and anthropocentric environmental perspectives are associated with less perceived conflict. These findings highlight that groundwater conflicts are associated with not only resource scarcity but also social perceptions, spatial inequalities, and environmental value orientations. Strengthening cooperative water governance, improving equitable access to shared wells, and promoting environmental awareness may help reduce tensions and support more sustainable groundwater management in agricultural communities.</p>

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Human–environment Dynamics and Stages of Water Conflict in Shared-well Irrigation: Evidence from Rural Iran

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Ahmad Abedi Sarvestani,
  • Cecilia Tortajada

摘要

Conflicts over shared groundwater resources pose growing challenges for rural communities in arid and semi-arid regions. However, empirical evidence on how social, spatial, and attitudinal factors shape different stages of water conflict in shared-well systems remains limited. This study examines the dynamics of water conflicts among farmers who rely on shared wells in rural Iran. Data were collected through a survey of 214 farmers, and relationships between social, spatial, and attitudinal factors and different stages of conflict (latent, perceived, felt, and manifest) were examined. The findings indicate that the felt conflict stage—where individuals emotionally experience tension related to resource use—is the most prevalent stage among farmers. Spatial inequalities in access to shared wells are associated with higher levels of conflict, suggesting that unequal physical access to groundwater can intensify tensions among water users. Farmers with larger landholdings tend to perceive less manifest conflict, while environmental attitudes also shape perceptions of water disputes. In particular, positive attitudes toward water and anthropocentric environmental perspectives are associated with less perceived conflict. These findings highlight that groundwater conflicts are associated with not only resource scarcity but also social perceptions, spatial inequalities, and environmental value orientations. Strengthening cooperative water governance, improving equitable access to shared wells, and promoting environmental awareness may help reduce tensions and support more sustainable groundwater management in agricultural communities.