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Advances in Tools and Models for Water Energy Food Nexus (WEF) Assessment

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water-Energy Nexus".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 2621

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycles in River Basins, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, China
Interests: hydrology; water resources engineering; hydraulics; river dynamics; electrical engineering and automation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to gather innovative research contributions focused on the interconnections and interactions between water, energy, and food systems. It seeks to explore cutting-edge tools, methodologies, and models that facilitate a comprehensive assessment of the Water Energy Food Nexus (WEF). The primary objective is to address the intricate relationships between these critical resources, considering their mutual dependencies, trade-offs, and synergies. Furthermore, this Special Issue also endeavours to incorporate advanced methodologies for assessing water, carbon, ecological and/or land footprints, etc., thereby providing a holistic understanding of the environmental implications within the WEF nexus.

By presenting novel approaches, case studies, and insights, the Special Issue intends to advance our understanding of sustainable resource management and policy formulation within the WEF nexus framework. The contributions within this issue will not only enhance theoretical knowledge but also offer practical implications for integrated decision making and resilient resource governance. Ultimately, the collaborative efforts showcased in this Special Issue aim to pave the way for a more interconnected, efficient, and environmentally conscious approach to managing the complex interactions among water, energy, and food systems.

Prof. Dr. Yizi Shang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water energy food nexus
  • interconnected systems
  • sustainability assessment
  • trade-offs and synergies
  • nexus approach

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 1085 KiB  
Article
Water–Energy–Milk Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Saudi Arabia
by Raga M. Elzaki, Mohammed Al-Mahish and Fahad Alzahrani
Water 2024, 16(11), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111538 - 27 May 2024
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Dairy farming plays a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s agricultural industry. However, the intensive milk production process exerts pressure on local water and energy resources. This study aims to examine the impact of water stress and renewable energy consumption shocks on milk production [...] Read more.
Dairy farming plays a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s agricultural industry. However, the intensive milk production process exerts pressure on local water and energy resources. This study aims to examine the impact of water stress and renewable energy consumption shocks on milk production in Saudi Arabia by using data from 2000 to 2021. The empirical analysis used the VAR model, Granger causality, forecast error variance decompositions (FEVDs), and impulse response functions (IRFs). The presence of a negative significant interdependence between total milk production and water stress levels in agriculture was observed. Significant bidirectional causality relationships among the variables were noted. The FEVD results show that water stress levels in agriculture are becoming a more dominant driver of variations in total milk production in Saudi Arabia, while the empirical evidence of the IRFs implies that milk production increases when both water stress levels and renewable energy are present. The adoption of water recycling and reuse systems on dairy farms can help farmers to improve water use efficiency. The encouragement of decision makers to formulate policies to support sustainable water resource management, reduce environmental impact, accelerate technological advancements, and initiate positive socioeconomic outcomes for the dairy industry is highly recommended. Full article
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22 pages, 7236 KiB  
Article
Water Energy Food Nexus in Urbanizing Wetlands: Challenges and Solutions Explored through Choremes and Focus Maps
by Dragos Balaican, Katrin Teubner, Iuliana-Mihaela Tudor, Iulian Nichersu, Adrian Burada, Cristian Trifanov, Marian Tudor, Catalina Iticescu, Luminita Moraru and Puiu-Lucian Georgescu
Water 2024, 16(7), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070922 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1173
Abstract
Addressing complex interactions within water, energy, and food (WEF) resources, innovative tools for in-depth analysis and decision-making are imperative. This study introduces chorematic focus maps (CFMs) as a groundbreaking method to visualize and tackle the WEF nexus’s complexities, focusing specifically on the Danube [...] Read more.
Addressing complex interactions within water, energy, and food (WEF) resources, innovative tools for in-depth analysis and decision-making are imperative. This study introduces chorematic focus maps (CFMs) as a groundbreaking method to visualize and tackle the WEF nexus’s complexities, focusing specifically on the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR). By merging geospatial analysis with on-site validation, this research reveals intricate interdependencies within the nexus and positions CFMs as an effective tool for stakeholders. This study adopts a methodological approach that focuses on identifying human activities and evaluating their impacts on the WEF nexus, with the goal of developing practical and grounded strategies for managing these essential resources. By testing this approach within the DDBR, the potential for wider application is demonstrated, offering a promising framework for addressing similar socio-environmental challenges across various regions. Future research directions include refining CFMs’ precision and practicality through extended fieldwork and stakeholder engagement, testing the framework’s adaptability across various locations and nexus dynamics. Additionally, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning could provide deeper insights and reinforce CFMs’ role in decision support for the WEF nexus. Conclusively, this investigation into the WEF nexus through CFMs emphasizes the critical need for strategies that navigate the complexities of environmental management and resource optimization, marking CFMs as a significant tool for both decision-makers and researchers. Full article
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