Author(s): Zixi Liu; Lian Tang; Weijiang Zhang
Linked Author(s): Lian Tang
Keywords: Water-energy-food-ecology nexus Footprint Family Ecological Remote Sensing Index Sustainability Urban ecosystem health
Abstract: The sustainability and interconnections within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecology (WEFE) nexus present significant challenges to regional development from both socio-economic and ecological perspectives. This study, focusing on the Ningxia Yellow River Ecological Economic Zone, constructed a comprehensive evaluation system for urban Water-Energy-Food-Ecology nexus through game theory and the TOPSIS methodology for nexus sustainability and improved remote sensing based ecological index for ecological environment evaluation. After sustainability evaluation, the coupling coordination model and Spearman correlation analysis were employed to identify critical WEFE nexus interdependencies. Results indicate a continuous decline in the sustainability of the regional WEF system, while water shortage is the top priority. Improved remote sensing based ecological index provides objective and multi-dimensional data. Yinchuan shows excellent ecological health while WET index identifies drought as the key factor affecting ecological health. This study further analyses the coupling coordination among the WEFE nexus, revealing low coordination in the study area. There are evident trade-offs between the water and energy subsystems and the ecological subsystems, while the food subsystem shows synergistic effects with the ecosystem. This study addressed the overall ecological health within the WEFE nexus. Dysfunctional relationships between subsystems reduce system sustainability Specific measures were recommended to improve urban sustainability of WEFE nexus.
Year: 2025