Community-led small-scale managed aquifer recharge can slow drought propagation: Sociohydro(geo)logical evidence from Oaxaca, Mexico

This research assesses the role of small-scale managed aquifer recharge (s-MAR) in the attenuation of meteorological drought propagation. Human activity can induce or aggravate the drought cascade, threatening groundwater-dependent communities. In Oaxaca, Mexico, people have united to implement s-MAR techniques, using low-tech, ecologically sound, and low-cost structures to address water scarcity and drought. Efforts began shortly before an extreme drought in 2008–2009, and 2023–2024 brought the first significant meteorological drought since, offering an opportunity to assess s-MAR’s impact on drought propagation. Quantifying the hydrological impact remains difficult, especially in bottom-up s-MAR systems, where implementation is prioritized over monitoring. Using a sociohydro(geo)logical approach, the research questions guiding this paper are: (a) Can s-MAR attenuate the propagation of meteorological drought in rural groundwater-dependent societies? (b) How can data from the different scientific disciplines of sociology and hydrology complement each other in assessing the effectiveness of s-MAR in drought attenuation? Drawing on hydrogeological data, geospatial methods, climatic data, and social data, the analysis finds s-MAR attenuated drought propagation. The hydrological impact of s-MAR depended not only on biophysical and climate parameters but also on social factors. This study shows that incorporating social sciences in hydrogeological research can help address hydrological data gaps, and the complementary use of biophysical data and qualitative social data can uncover dynamics that would remain invisible if only hydrological data or socio-economic data were considered. A sociohydro(geo)logical approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of the context of interventions and complex system dynamics, supporting more effective solutions to water management challenges.