Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
MSc Graduate in Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Branch of Noor, Mazandaran, Iran.
2
Associate Professor in Hydro-climatology, Department of Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Branch of Noor, Mazandaran, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
As climate variability has intensified drought events in Iran, drought monitoring has become imperative. However, drought impact studies have mainly focused on severe-sustained and most prolonged droughts. Therefore, the aim of this research was to explore the social impacts of short-term droughts in rural areas. Survey research was conducted in Dodangeh sub-district, Behbahan county of Iran. Simple random sampling technique was used to collect a representative sample of farm households who had experienced drought. A total of 339 farmers were interviewed through a questionnaire. Study results indicated that increased migration and reduced access to education and health services were not experienced by many farm households; however, delayed marriage, reduced quality of life, increased workload and social conflicts were observed during the recent drought. Also, institutional supports, age, experience, animal size and household income were the drivers of social impacts of droughts.
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