Integrated Hydro-Optimization and Simulation Frameworks for Resilient Water Governance in Hyper-Arid Environments
Abstract
Water scarcity has become one of the most significant environmental and socio-economic challenges in arid and semi-arid regions. Sustainable management of limited water resources requires integrated planning approaches capable of balancing agricultural production, ecological preservation, and economic development. This study examines a coupled optimization–simulation framework based on the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system integrated with a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA). The research focuses on the Sistan region in southeastern Iran and evaluates trade-offs between agricultural profitability and environmental sustainability. Hydrological, agricultural, climatic, and socio-economic data were analyzed over a thirty-year period. Results demonstrate that multi-objective optimization improves ecological outcomes while maintaining acceptable economic benefits. The findings confirm that integrated simulation–optimization approaches provide effective tools for sustainable water resources management in water-scarce regions.