An integrated framework for sustainable natural resources management in freshwater lakes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Freshwater lakes are increasingly threatened by environmental degradation, resource-use conflicts, climate change, and institutional fragmentation, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water resources are essential for sustainable development. Existing approaches, including driver–pressure–state–impact–response, integrated lake basin management, integrated water resources management, ecosystem-based management, and adaptive management, are typically operationalized in isolation rather than through an integrated approach. The study objectives were to construct an integrated framework that synthesizes these disparate approaches within a unified decision-support structure underpinned by environmental indicators, institutional governance assessment, and geographic information systems-based spatial analysis.METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, integrating framework synthesis, comparative case studies, and institutional governance assessment alongside environmental indicators and geographic information system-based spatial analysis. The proposed framework is structured across five sequential phases: a baseline assessment, a causal diagnosis, a sustainability and carrying-capacity evaluation, planning and governance strategies, and an implementation stage paired with adaptive monitoring. The framework was applied to Lake Nasser, Egypt, and compared with the Great Lakes, Lake Biwa, and Lake Victoria.FINDINGS: The proposed framework integrated environmental assessment, governance evaluation, spatial planning, and adaptive management within a single operational structure. Geographic information systems-based sensitivity analysis, supported by weighted overlay analysis, zonal statistics, area calculations, and consistency with ecological characteristics reported by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency and previous studies, indicated that approximately ۱۵–۲۰ percent of the Lake Nasser region comprises very high sensitivity zones requiring strict protection, whereas ۳۰–۳۵ percent represents high-sensitivity areas requiring controlled management. Spatial suitability analysis indicated that nearly half of the lacustrine system necessitates either heightened conservation status or strictly regulated development frameworks. The integrated lake basin management-based assessment revealed institutional fragmentation, limited coordination, weak information systems, and insufficient stakeholder participation. The comparative evaluation highlights a triad of critical determinants for sustainable lacustrine governance: continuous environmental monitoring, adaptive management interventions, and robust stakeholder engagement.CONCLUSION: This study introduces a pragmatic, adaptable framework that serves as a viable methodological tool for advancing sustainable natural resource management in freshwater lakes. By integrating driver–pressure–state–impact–response, integrated lake basin management, integrated water resources management, ecosystem-based management, adaptive management, environmental indicators, governance assessment, and geographic information systems -based spatial analysis, the framework strengthens environmental decision-making and planning implementation. Application to Lake Nasser demonstrates its potential to improve environmental protection, governance effectiveness, and long-term resource sustainability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Environmental indicators ، Freshwater lakes ، Lake Nasser ، Methodological framework ، natural resources ، Spatial analysis ، Sustainable management.