Mapping water provisioning services to support the ecosystem–water–food–energy nexus in the Danube river basin

Abstract

a b s t r a c tWater, food and energy are at the core of human needs and there is a boundless complex cycle among these three basic human needs. Ecosystems are in the center of this nexus, since they contribute to the provision of each component, making it imperative to understand the role of ecosystems in securing food, water and energy for human well-being. In this study we aimed to map and assess water provisioning services and associated benefits to support the ecosystem-water-food-energy nexus by taking into account environmental flow requirements for riverine ecosystems using the hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). We developed a framework that includes indicators of renewable water (capacity of ecosystem to provide water) and water use (service flow) and we applied it in the Danube river basin over the period 1995-2004. Water scarcity indicators were used to map the possible water scarcity in the subbasins, and analyze the spatial match of water availability and water use. The results show that modelling is instrumental to perform the integrated analysis of the ecosystem-waterfood-energy nexus; and that spatial mapping is a powerful tool to display environmental availability of water provisioning and regulatory services delivered by ecosystems, and can support the nexus analysis.

Key Issues of Interdisciplinary NEXUS Governance Analyses: Lessons Learned from Research on Integrated Water Resources Management

“…The link between the two approaches-WEF-NEXUS and IWRM-has been widely acknowledged indeed [13][14][15][16][17]. As shown in Table 1, the similarities between the two are numerous: in both concepts, participatory approaches are encouraged to address integrated management problems.…”

Challenges in Using Hydrology and Water Quality Models for Assessing Freshwater Ecosystem Services: A Review

“…Cabello, et al [26] looked at the sustainability of water management practices for continued provision of freshwater. Dile, et al [27] studied the most suitable areas for harvesting ponds, while Karabulut, et al [28] studied where water scarcity could arise. Rodrigues, et al [29] also considered the issues of water scarcity, both for blue and green water.…”

Applying Place-Based Social-Ecological Research to Address Water Scarcity: Insights for Future Research

“…Expert knowledge, as used in this research, provides insight into challenges faced in water-scare social-ecological systems, but it has its limitations [69][70][71]. Detailed analysis is needed to provide evidence and to make explicit the severity of water scarcity issues as presented by experts and to find possible solutions using social-ecological models [72].…”