Water Integrity in the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus: Solutions for Water Resources in a Changing World
Abstract
The Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus conceptualizes the interactions and tension between production and consumption of food, energy, and water. With increasing uncertainties due to climate change, there is a need to address these tensions within the nexus and better comprehend the existing interdependencies and tradeoffs. Water integrity – considering both water availability and quality – is of critical concern within the FEW nexus. Thus, it is important to develop robust decision-making strategies using a FEW nexus lens. This study focuses on addressing water integrity concerns through FEW nexus assessment using an agricultural watershed in northeastern Indiana, with predominantly corn-soybean rotations, as a pilot site. Historical and futuristic climate and hydrological data were used for hydrological modeling using SWAT to quantify water quantity, quality, and crop production. Scientific literature values for farm machinery fuel requirements and their carbon emissions were implemented to obtain values based on the implemented agronomic practices. Results showed that integrating water integrity into FEW nexus assessments has potential for improving water resources management at the nexus. Additionally, when data is not readily-available, inferences can be made with limited data to better comprehend when periods of stress – defined as critical periods – may occur within the nexus. Finally, climate change projections indicate potential shifts in critical periods through the growing season in deficits and surpluses of water availability and for nutrients of concern (surface and subsurface nitrate and soluble phosphorus). The end of the 21stcentury shows relative increases in these nutrients, despite smaller shifts in deficits and surpluses, attributable to shifts in hydro-climatic patterns. Results of this study provide methodologies and information that can be implemented to evaluate water resources management, as well as inform policymaking for more sustainable agricultural management practices. Further studies are required to provide tools for communication to stakeholders and provide more assessment incorporating additional climate change projections, varying model set-ups, and additional data to provide better comprehension of the FEW nexus.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Gitau, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Sustainability|Climate Change|Agricultural chemistry|Chemistry|Management|Organic chemistry|Water Resources Management
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