Rapid hydrological appraisal (RHA): watershed functions and management options

Abstract

Rapid hydrological appraisal (RHA) diagnoses the hydrological situation of a landscape and perceptions and ecological knowledge of its important stakeholders: local, general public and scientific domains. These perceptions and knowledge include information concerning trade-offs between local decisions on land-use practices that influence watershed functions, types of local institutions that can increase effective management of the watershed, and social relationships among stakeholders. The RHA enables an appraisal of the opportunities for negotiating land-use agreements that include rewards for protecting and rehabilitating watershed functions