Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
L. Naranjo, M. E. Correa-Cano, D. Rey, R. Chengot, F. Espana, M. Sactic, J. W. Knox, X. Yan, O. Viteri-Salazar, W. Foster, O. Melo
Summary: Increased demand for food has led to expansion of irrigated agriculture, creating challenges for water, energy, and food security. To address these challenges, a holistic approach that considers the water-energy-food-environment nexus is needed. This study develops a modelling toolkit to provide insights into solutions for a specific case in Ecuador. The results show the environmental and socioeconomic trade-offs of different scenarios, helping stakeholders design policies for sustainable agricultural production and economic growth.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Gaurav Jha, Floyid Nicolas, Radomir Schmidt, Kosana Suvocarev, Dawson Diaz, Isaya Kisekka, Kate Scow, Mallika A. Nocco
Summary: California's agriculture is facing unsustainable water and energy issues, requiring growers to effectively manage irrigation. Collaboration between government, agricultural, and private sectors is needed to provide decision support to address these issues, promote the application of energy-saving technologies, and improve water resource management efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Haiyan Li, Mo Li, Qiang Fu, Kaihua Cao, Dong Liu, Tianxiao Li
Summary: This paper proposes an optimization method for circular agricultural systems, which achieves the coordinated regulation of water, land, energy, and carbon emissions through the circular use of biochar and electricity. It has important implications for improving regional cropland management techniques and developing sustainable circular agriculture.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
K. M. Nazmul Islam, Steven J. Kenway, Marguerite A. Renouf, Ka Leung Lam, Thomas Wiedmann
Summary: This study reviewed and analyzed assessment research on water-related energy consumption in the food system, revealing different research trends and drivers in various countries. Most studies focused on irrigation energy consumption in the agricultural phase, while neglecting more energy-intensive processes such as food processing and cooking.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Serena Radini, Enrico Marinelli, Cagri Akyol, Anna Laura Eusebi, Vasileia Vasilaki, Adriano Mancini, Emanuele Frontoni, Gian Battista Bischetti, Claudio Gandolfi, Evina Katsou, Francesco Fatone
Summary: The review paper delves into the water-energy-food-climate (WEFC) nexus in wastewater treatment, highlighting the lack of comprehensive models and tools for addressing urban and peri-urban WEFC nexus. It discusses the use of digital solutions in water management, emphasizing the need for increased public involvement.
Article
Agronomy
Tianyuan Zhang, Qian Tan, Shuping Wang, Tong Zhang, Kejia Hu, Shan Zhang
Summary: In this study, an integrated approach was developed to assess the composite risk of Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus systems and generate risk-based plans. Results showed that higher composite risks could bring higher benefits, and the overall system benefit varied with different combinations of subsystem risks. Resourcing coordination among different subsystems could promote system benefit.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Marzieh Hasanzadeh Saray, Aziza Baubekova, Alireza Gohari, Seyed Saeid Eslamian, Bjorn Klove, Ali Torabi Haghighi
Summary: This study analyzed the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus and CO2 emissions of a farm in northwest Iran, providing data support for policy-makers in response to climate change. The analysis revealed a direct relationship between energy consumption and CO2 emissions, with barley, rapeseed, silage corn, and wheat performing best in terms of maximizing WEF nexus and minimizing CO2 emissions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Adriana Del Borghi, Valeria Tacchino, Luca Moreschi, Agata Matarazzo, Michela Gallo, Diego Arellano Vazquez
Summary: The increase in world population is putting pressure on soil, water resources, and ecosystems. This study uses a combination of precision agriculture and life cycle assessment to improve the energy-environmental performance of vegetable crops.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Philbert Mperejekumana, Lei Shen, Shuai Zhong, Fabien Muhirwa, Assa Nsabiyeze, Jean Marie Vianney Nsigayehe, Anathalie Nyirarwasa
Summary: A significant portion of the population in Burundi heavily relies on agriculture for sustenance and income. However, persistently low agricultural yields pose a risk to approximately 1.8 million people who are at immediate risk of food insecurity. This study explores the potential of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus approach in strengthening agricultural sustainability and improving food security in Burundi, using both the ARDL model and the ARIMA model to analyze the impact of water, energy, and land on agricultural yield and project their future dynamics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Torhan, C. A. Grady, I Ajibade, E. K. Galappaththi, R. R. Hernandez, J. Musah-Surugu, A. M. Nunbogu, A. C. Segnon, Y. Shang, N. Ulibarri, D. Campbell, E. T. Joe, J. Penuelas, J. Sardans, M. A. R. Shah
Summary: Food-energy-water systems are vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change risks. Adaptations to these vulnerabilities are occurring globally, with a focus on food security. There are interconnected relationships between different variables characterizing these adaptations. However, there is a need to consider interconnectivity and adopt a nexus approach in future adaptations.
Article
Agronomy
Xin Guan, Giuseppe Mascaro
Summary: This study used the WEAP-MABIA model to simulate crop production in the main irrigation districts near Phoenix, Arizona, under different warming levels and water allocations. The results showed that crop production will decline in the coming decades, especially under higher warming scenarios, and will further decrease under water shortage measures, potentially reaching almost a 50% reduction by the end of the century.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ikhlas Ghiat, Tareq Al-Ansari
Summary: Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) is an important strategy for reducing CO2 emissions by converting CO2 into value-added commodities through various pathways. It can alleviate resource competition and provide cross-sectoral opportunities within the energy, water, and food sectors.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amir Molajou, Abbas Afshar, Mina Khosravi, Elham Soleimanian, Masoud Vahabzadeh, Hossein Akbari Variani
Summary: In recent decades, global demands for freshwater, energy, and food have been influenced by population growth, economic development, international trade, and increasing urbanization and food diversity. The lack of integrated management strategies poses a threat to the security of these resources, while climate change exacerbates the adverse impacts. Therefore, understanding and studying the complex interactions and connections between these systems have become crucial.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura Armengot, Maria J. Beltran, Monika Schneider, Xavier Simon, David Perez-Neira
Summary: This study evaluates the food-energy-water nexus (FEWn) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of four young cacao production systems, finding that agroforestry systems and organic management perform better in most indicators and impact categories. Results show that production diversification and organic management practices can improve energy efficiency, reduce water use, and improve environmental impacts.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nemi Vora, Colin Gillen, Oleg A. Prokopyev, Vikas Khanna
Summary: This study examines the sustainability implications of rewiring U.S. rice production and trade to reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions, modeling a series of optimization scenarios. Results show that restructuring trade can lead to reductions in irrigation and transportation emissions, but require changes in production patterns across states.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andres Vina, Jianguo Liu
Summary: As global interconnections continue to strengthen, challenges are becoming more difficult to address due to the reliance on global supply chains. Global shocks such as wars, economic recessions, and pandemics can disrupt these connections and have cascading consequences. To assess these consequences comprehensively, integrated frameworks that consider the interactions between human and natural systems are crucial. Using the metacoupling framework, this study illustrates the effects of major global shocks on global interconnectedness from the early 1900s to the 2010s. Based on the findings, actionable recommendations are made to mitigate the negative impacts of the ongoing global shock, the COVID-19 pandemic, and promote global sustainability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yingjie Li, Samuel V. J. Robinson, Lan H. Nguyen, Jianguo Liu
Summary: The increasing frequency and severity of coastal hypoxia pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems and human well-being. It is crucial to implement continuous and comprehensive monitoring using advanced tools to track spatial and temporal changes in coastal hypoxia. This study utilized satellite imagery and statistical modeling techniques to estimate the spatiotemporal dynamics of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The results revealed the influence of surface water processes on bottom water hypoxia, highlighting the need for considering time lags in hypoxia studies. Additionally, the study demonstrated the potential of satellite remote sensing for accurate and real-time hypoxia mapping.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiuzhi Chen, Yue Hou, Thomas Kastner, Liu Liu, Yuqian Zhang, Tuo Yin, Mo Li, Arunima Malik, Mengyu Li, Kelly R. Thorp, Siqi Han, Yaoze Liu, Tahir Muhammad, Jianguo Liu, Yunkai Li
Summary: This study identifies and quantifies the flows of physical and virtual nutrients within the global agricultural trade network. The study shows that these flows have varying effects on natural resources in different countries. The findings suggest that reducing inefficient trade flows can enhance resource conservation and environmental sustainability. These results are important for understanding the global nutrient dynamics and improving nutrient use efficiency in a hyper-globalized world.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dhritiraj Sengupta, Young Rae Choi, Bo Tian, Sally Brown, Michael Meadows, Christopher R. Hackney, Abhishek Banerjee, Yingjie Li, Ruishan Chen, Yunxuan Zhou
Summary: Increasing population size and economic dependence on the coastal zone have driven land reclamation for urban development and infrastructure purposes. A global assessment of coastal reclamation reveals that 78% of major coastal cities have resorted to reclamation, contributing a significant amount of additional land. Reclamation is most prominent in East Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, followed by Western Europe and West Africa. The most common land uses on reclaimed spaces are port extension, residential/commercial, and industrial. Additionally, recent reclamation has occurred in areas susceptible to extreme sea level rise, posing challenges to sustainable development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuqian Zhang, Yingjie Li, Jianguo Liu
Summary: The United Nations has adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote human welfare and conserve the planet. Our research examined the progress of SDGs 14 and 15, which directly address biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, between 2010 and 2020. The results showed a small growth in SDG 14 scores, but a significant increase in SDG 15 scores, especially in countries with biodiversity hotspots. It is important to prioritize low-income countries' sustainable development performance in implementing the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chunrong Mi, Kai Song, Liang Ma, Jiliang Xu, Baojun Sun, Yuehua Sun, Jianguo Liu, Weiguo Du
Summary: In order to address biodiversity loss and achieve the targets of the proposed Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the Chinese government has updated the list of national key protected wildlife and expanded protected areas. However, the status of protected wildlife in these areas remains unclear. This study conducted a national assessment and proposed an optimization plan to overcome these shortcomings, including adding more protected areas and prioritizing certain regions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva, Daniel de Castro Victoria, Fabio Avila Nossack, Andres Vina, James D. A. Millington, Simone Aparecida Vieira, Mateus Batistella, Emilio Moran, Jianguo Liu
Summary: Private lands in Brazil play a crucial role in conservation efforts, but their effectiveness is hampered by inadequate policies. A recent analysis of over 4 million rural properties revealed that the 2012 policy review had a limited impact, particularly on the Amazon Forest. The amnesty granted to small landowners prevented the restoration of millions of hectares of agricultural land with significant carbon sequestration potential.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Liu, Bo Huang, Huadong Guo, Jianguo Liu
Summary: This study uses open-source big data to assess the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 254 Chinese cities and compares the results with those obtained using statistical data. The findings suggest that big data is a promising alternative for tracking the overall SDG progress of cities, including those lacking relevant statistical data. The analysis reveals that smaller Chinese cities have lower SDG Index scores, indicating the need to improve SDG progress in small and medium cities for more balanced sustainability.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zilong Xia, Yingjie Li, Shanchuan Guo, Ruishan Chen, Wei Zhang, Peng Zhang, Peijun Du
Summary: The recent boom in solar photovoltaics and water-surface photovoltaics (WSPV) has led to increased global competition. This study provides the first global-scale inventory of WSPV projects, showing rapid expansion with Asia dominating the development. China accounts for the majority of the global WSPV area.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xutong Wu, Bojie Fu, Shuai Wang, Yanxu Liu, Ying Yao, Yingjie Li, Zhenci Xu, Jianguo Liu
Summary: Unraveling the complexity of the 17 sustainable development goals is crucial for their achievement. A study on 166 countries' progress towards each SDG revealed that three dimensions - socioeconomic development at the expense of resource and climate, the environment, and development at the expense of equality - capture 70% of the variability in national SDG performance. These dimensions are mainly influenced by the economy, with GDP per capita affecting their trends. The findings highlight the conflicts between economic growth and resource and climate goals, emphasizing the importance of sustainable transformation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhuangzhuang Wang, Bojie Fu, Xutong Wu, Yingjie Li, Yuhao Feng, Shuai Wang, Fangli Wei, Liwei Zhang
Summary: Satellite vegetation data analysis suggests that the increased ability of vegetation to recover from disturbances with the greening of the Chinese Loess Plateau from 2000 to 2020 was partially offset by increased temperature and precipitation variability, resulting in a loss of resilience after 2010.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhuangzhuang Wang, Bojie Fu, Xutong Wu, Yingjie Li, Shuai Wang, Nan Lu
Summary: The concept of social-ecological trap describes situations where self-reinforcing feedbacks push a system towards an undesirable state, threatening human societies' sustainability. Understanding feedback loops and identifying leading factors is crucial to develop effective management strategies. A quantitative diagnostic framework was developed to analyze the rural social-ecological evolution in China's Loess Plateau, revealing three stages of trap dynamics and recommendations for addressing these traps.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva, Emilio F. Moran, James D. A. Millington, Andres Vina, Jianguo Liu
Summary: In recent years, there has been significant improvement in understanding the effects of global flows of agricultural commodities on human and natural systems. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding important factors of environmental change influenced by these commodity flows. This study presents a spatial modelling approach to assess the impact of trade destination on forest cover change in soybean-producing municipalities in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The results show that municipalities with greater soybean production not destined for international markets are strongly associated with deforestation, as well as with cattle and pasture expansion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nicholas Manning, Yingjie Li, Jianguo Liu
Summary: With rapid globalization and global environmental changes, complex sustainability issues in the Anthropocene are increasingly interconnected, not only within nearby systems but also between distant systems. Tobler's first law of geography (TFL), which states that near things are more related than distant things, is not always applicable for sustainability issues. The integrated framework of metacoupling (MCF) has shown greater applicability than TFL, especially in topics such as trade, governance, and agricultural development.
GEOGRAPHY AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Yingjie Li, Nan Jia, Xiang Yu, Nicholas Manning, Xin Lan, Jianguo Liu
Summary: This study makes the first attempt to develop a typology of transboundary flows and synthesizes a portfolio of quantitative and practical methods to characterize these flows. It highlights the need to recognize shared risks and goals, use system thinking, and enhance multilateral cooperation for effective governance of transboundary flows.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2023)