Network Analysis of Local Stakeholders in the village of Gezir for Water Resources Co-management

Co-management of water resources is one of the most important managerial approaches in water resources; its achievement requires the strengthening of social capital; also, the role of water resources Local Stakeholders in increasing the amount of this capital is undeniable. The social network analysis approach is one of the strategies that will examine the pattern of relationships between Local Stakeholders in planning, policy making and successful implementation of participatory water resources co-management. In this research, the social relationships between 143 farmers of Gezir village, Bandar-Lengeh province, which are used by indigenous structures for irrigation of the palm groves, have been investigated using the network analysis and network level measurements (density, Reciprocity and average geodesic distance); The data of this study were collected in the fall and winter of 1396. The results represent the favorable social capital that the optimal amount of this capital derives from the applicability and importance of the indigenous community structures, in particular the cistern structure, for managing water resources through strong links of Consultation (rainfall time) and Collaboration in the affairs related to these structures. Therefore preserving the collective indigenous structures water resources will strengthen social capital and increase Resilience to tensions for water resources co-management.