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Map of Alaska with the study communities of Cordova, Igiugig, Kongiganak and Tanana, and major roads and electrical grids.

Study location Map of Alaska with the study communities of Cordova, Igiugig, Kongiganak and Tanana, and major roads and electrical grids.

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The food–energy–water (FEW) nexus describes interactions among domains that yield gains or trade-offs when analysed together rather than independently. In a project about renewable energy in rural Alaska communities, we applied this concept to examine the implications for sustainability and resilience. The FEW nexus provided a useful framework for...

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... Additionally, some scholars have investigated agricultural land use eco-efficiency (Hu et al., 2022). In terms of research scale, studies on urban land eco-efficiency primarily concentrate on the national level (Zhou L. et al., 2020;Liu et al., 2022;Fan and Jiang, 2023), urban agglomerations (Ge et al., 2021;Ge et al., 2023;Hong and Mao, 2023), river basins (Chen et al., 2022;Cui et al., 2023;Ma D. L. et al., 2023), provincial areas Zhang and Lu, 2022), and prefecture-level (Huntington et al., 2021). In terms of research methods, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) (Cook and Seiford, 2009), stochastic frontier approach (SFA) (Liu et al., 2020), slacks-based measure model (SBM) (Fan and Jiang, 2023), epsilon-based measure model (EBM) , Super-EBM model Ma D. L. et al., 2023;Ma et al., 2024), Malmquist index method (Zhao et al., 2018) were mainly utilized. ...
... In terms of research methods, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) (Cook and Seiford, 2009), stochastic frontier approach (SFA) (Liu et al., 2020), slacks-based measure model (SBM) (Fan and Jiang, 2023), epsilon-based measure model (EBM) , Super-EBM model Ma D. L. et al., 2023;Ma et al., 2024), Malmquist index method (Zhao et al., 2018) were mainly utilized. To analyze the driving mechanism of influencing factors, the Tobit regression model (Chen et al., 2022), geographically weighted regression model (GWR) (Huntington et al., 2021), geographically and temporally weighted regression model (GTWR) (Ge et al., 2023;, fixed effects model (Zhou et al., 2018;Hong and Mao, 2023) were mostly used. ...
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... Implementation of the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus in urban areas is gaining prominence as cities are progressively becoming major global hubs for resource consumption (Villarroel Walker et al 2014, Chini et al 2017, Djehdian et al 2019, Yuan et al 2021, Hachaichi and Egieya 2023. These vital resources are increasingly interconnected, necessitating a holistic approach, often referred to as the 'nexus' , which offers an opportunity to mitigate unintended consequences in one sector through coordinated management in another (Hellegers et al 2008, Eftelioglu et al 2016, Van Vuuren et al 2019, Huntington et al 2021. Furthermore, urban centers are now at the forefront of discussions on this nexus (Schlör et al 2018, Fox-Kämper et al 2023, Hachaichi and Egieya 2023. ...
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... Operating within ESBs will often require nexus approaches 55,56 that exploit synergies among interconnected domains 57 . For example, phasing out fossil fuels 58 , saving water resources 59 , switching to more sustainable energy resources 60 and reducing biodiversity impacts 61 are intertwined with city and company supply chains. ...
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... Quality is similarly nuanced, particularly in the case of FEWS resources where it can be difficult to measure on a household scale (Stone et al., 2023). FEWS are heavily influenced by factors, such as geology, climate, and biome, leading to localized or regional system characteristics (Albatayneh, A. 2023;Huntington et al., 2021;Vörösmarty et al., 2023a). For example, water systems can be highly localized depending on watershed or aquifer characteristics; furthermore, most water treatment and distribution is conducted at the municipal scale. ...
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... Water security and food security are fundamental pillars of sustainable social and economic development [1]. As the human activity with the greatest water requirement, agricultural production consumes 70% of total water use worldwide and intensifies global pressure on water resources [2]. ...
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... The Water-Energy-Carbon (WEC) Nexus is a conceptual framework that highlights the interdependencies between water resources, energy, and carbon emissions [1]. Nexus approach acknowledges that water is essential for energy production, energy is necessary for water extraction and distribution, and both water and energy are linked to carbon emissions, either directly through fossil fuel combustion or indirectly through impacts on carbon sequestration ecosystems [2]. For example, global water withdrawals for energy production are staggering, estimated at around 4,000 billion cubic meters per year, highlighting the immense water dependence of the energy sector [3]. ...
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... It has been extensively investigated in existing literature. In order to thoroughly investigate this vital system, these studies have predominantly focused on topics related to the FEW nexus [3,[16][17][18][19]. These topics have been categorized into three overarching classifications: climate change adaptation, agricultural productivity enhancement, and resource security assurance. ...
... The existing research literature on the FEW nexus has predominantly focused on analyzing the input-output efficiency of water, energy, and food over a long period of time [17,23]. It has also evaluated the implications of their consumption on societal, economic, and environmental aspects [16]. This methodology is consistent with the current trend of autonomously managing these resources across multiple sectors. ...
... Given the recent exacerbation of these issues, striving for sustainable development in Iran's agriculture has become exceedingly complex. In recent years, achieving sustainable development in the agricultural sector through the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus has gained attention (Huntington et al., 2021). Multiple strategies have been designed to optimally and sustainably allocate resources in agriculture, all rooted in the WEF nexus. ...
... Multiple strategies have been designed to optimally and sustainably allocate resources in agriculture, all rooted in the WEF nexus. Some of these strategies pivot on the WEF nexus's core principle, seeking to unravel the complex interrelations between these crucial elements to achieve sustainability (Zhang et al., 2018;Huntington et al., 2021). Diverse quantitative methods across numerous studies have been harnessed to assess and enhance the efficiency of WEF systems (El-Gafy, 2017;El-Gafy et al., 2017;Sadeghi et al., 2020;Sun et al., 2020;Zhou et al., 2023;Oviroh et al., 2023). ...
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A R T I C L E I N F O Keywords: EC irrigation water WEFN index CO 2 emissions Chemical pollutants Gross margin Multi-objective optimization model (MOP) A B S T R A C T The escalation of crises related to water quantity of quality, energy, food, and the environment has posed numerous challenges to sustainable development in the agricultural sector. This study seeks to establish an optimal and sustainable framework within the agricultural sector by meeting the objectives of the WEF (Water-Energy-Food) nexus index and environmental. For this, we individually optimized the objectives: maximizing the WEFN index (O 1), minimizing CO 2 emissions (O 2), reducing chemical fertilizer consumption (O 3), minimizing chemical pesticide usage (O 4), and maximizing gross margin (O 5) under various electrical conductivity (EC) scenarios (optimistic, moderate, and pessimistic) within the irrigation network of the Jiroft plain in Iran. In the second stage, we employed a Multi-Objective Programming (MOP) Model to attain these objectives using a weighted sum approach simultaneously. The results of the first stage revealed that under moderate and pessimistic EC irrigation water scenarios, significant alterations in the crop selection within the optimized models for O 1 and O 5 objectives occurred compared to the baseline scenario, which did not consider EC irrigation water. Specifically, in the pessimistic scenario with an EC irrigation water level of 2.25 ds/m, crops such as onions, tomatoes, and potatoes were replaced within the optimal cropping pattern by wheat, barley, and green-maize, leading to a notable decline in program efficiency. The results from the MOP optimization model indicated that in the pessimistic EC irrigation water scenario, the WEFN index, CO 2 emissions, fertilizer consumption, pesticide consumption, and gross margin would change by approximately +12%, − 48%, − 28%, − 8%, and − 74%, respectively, compared to the baseline scenario. Consequently, an increase in EC irrigation water, despite improving environmental conditions, would substantially diminish economic profit. Thus, overlooking the impact of EC irrigation water in the WEF nexus analysis could result in misleading conclusions.
... [11] affirmed that the nexus approach is an integrated approach that encompasses management and governance across different sectors and scales. Connections between the WEF sectors, also known as the FEW (Food-Energy-Water) Nexus [12][13][14], are becoming an important academic, policy, and societal topic that is increasingly being discussed in global society, including the relationship with ecosystems, livelihoods, and the economy. The WEF security nexus approach addresses the pressing challenge of managing water, energy, and food resources simultaneously while achieving multiple conflicting objectives without compromising any sector's resource base [11]. ...
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The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus is a paradigm that emphasises the interconnectedness and collaborative effects of water, energy, and food systems. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of South Africa's WEF nexus research landscape between 2011 and 2024 using the Scopus database. The article highlights the interconnectedness of sustainable development, resource management, sustainability challenges, and resilience strategies in the WEF Nexus in South Africa. The study also identifies critical research gaps in addressing socio-economic dimensions, policy and governance aspects, technological innovation, and human resource development within the WEF Nexus framework. The article reveals the transformative potential of blockchain technology in revolutionising resource management in South Africa. By leveraging blockchain's decentralised and transparent nature, the country can enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in resource allocation and distribution.