This manual walks users through a programmatic process to develop the capacities of water-energy-food-ecosystems (WEFE) nexus actors, with an emphasis on women professionals. The program is designed to support diverse participants in navigating the complexities of managing the WEFE nexus in an integrated and equitable way to drive sustainable development efforts around the world. This manual describes the program structure and contents, along with clear guidance and practical facilitation strategies to enhance WEFE nexus knowledge and practices. While the program was developed in Nepal, the manual and the program it describes are intended for an international audience. As such, this program can serve as a flexible resource adaptable for a broad range of settings.

Contamination of food and water with radioactive substances is a serious health problem. There are several methods to detect and measure radioactive materials, some of which have been developed in recent years. This paper aims to discuss the methods of detecting and measuring radioactive substances in food and water. The principles and the advantages and disadvantages of each method have been discussed. The results showed that some of these methods, such as spectrometry γ-ray high purity germanium, portable radon gas surveyor SILENA, RAD7, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, have a higher sensitivity for detection and measurement. Also, the spectrometry γ-ray high purity germanium method has attracted more attention than other methods because it can measure a wide range of radionuclides with high resolution.

The Sustainable Development Goals are interconnected and cut across Food, Land and Water (FLW) systems. But the formulation and implementation of national policy objectives to attain the SDGs may be fragmented and uncoordinated. The CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS), aims to contribute to agri-foods system transformation, by identifying ways of building stronger FLW policies with greater coherence and investment capacity, to support Nigeria in addressing current crises and future development needs. This flagship report focuses on (in)coherence in policies related to FLW systems in Nigeria, through the lens of Policies and Institutions Landscape Analysis Framework. To achieve policy coherence for sustainable development, the report highlights the need for: 1. strengthening staff and institutional capacities for FLW contextual and policy analysis to effectively identify, anticipate and respond to crisis. 2. developing systemic polycentric decision-making and governance, involving multi-stakeholders at the Federal, State and Local levels. 3. providing sustainable funding for the effective implementation of policy objectives, projects and programmes in the relevant FLW-related sectors 4. maintaining continuity of the implementation of ongoing transformative FLW policy objectives and programmes when an incumbent government comes into power. 5. promoting evidence-based (real time and high-quality data) policy formulation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

There are large regional differences regarding the use of phosphorus (P) fertilizer in global crop production. Likewise, people's accesses to crop calories and exposure to water pollution differ largely among world regions. The use of P fertilizer is needed to meet agricultural requirement and solve these inequalities. We developed a multi-objective framework for optimizing P fertilizer use that considered water quality, food security and social equality. Different optimal objectives yield contrasting results for the geographical distribution of P fertilizer use, crop calorie production and social equality. Optimized P fertilizer use without recycling P management may pose a threat to global food security. Approximately 3 %–43 % of the current global crop calorie production may be decreased, and inequality in access to crop calories may also increase. Overall, although a multi-objective framework to optimize the use of P fertilizer reduces crop calorie yield, it can help intergenerational equality of P fertilizer use and improve water quality.

Cold-water lakes situated in high latitudes and altitudes have pivotal socio-ecological importance both globally and locally. However, they are increasingly threatened by multiple anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change, hydropower and invasive species. The development of efficient management strategies is therefore urgently needed and requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the biodiversity and ecological processes of these ecosystems. We provide a holistic knowledge base for informed future research and management by addressing the interplay between local and global environmental drivers of food webs in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, Salmonidae) and brown trout (Salmo trutta, Salmonidae) dominated cold-water lakes in Fennoscandia. The trophic niche and population dynamics of these generalist top consumers provide extensive insights into the effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers on food webs in intensively studied Fennoscandian cold-water lakes, covering marked biogeographical gradients in abiotic and biotic conditions. Drawing on a synthesis of existing literature, our focus is on three pivotal drivers: (1) lake location and connectivity, (2) lake area and morphometry and (3) fish community composition. These drivers significantly influence the complexity and the origin and flow of energy in lake food webs, and ultimately the size structure of the charr and trout populations. Furthermore, we highlight ongoing environmental changes in Fennoscandian cold-water lakes caused by hydropower and invasive species. Finally, we identify crucial knowledge gaps and propose management actions for improving the future state of Fennoscandian cold-water lake ecosystems and their charr and trout populations.

Thesis (MScFoodSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2024. | ENGLISH ABSTRACT: To investigate Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation as an effective disinfection method for irrigation water irrespective of microbiological recovery, several studies were conducted. These studies monitored the recovery of bacteria following various UV doses, two UV sources and diverse water matrixes. From these studies it was found that river water in the Western Cape used for irrigation have higher Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts than recommended in the South African irrigation water guidelines. This could lead to fresh produce contamination if not addressed at farm level before use. Although UV has been identified as a potential disinfection method to be applied to irrigation water before use, its constant efficacy is still being questioned in practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival potential of food pathogens in river water with varying physico-chemical characteristics after UV-C irradiation treatment to improve the safety of fresh produce. The first research chapter (chapter 3), concentrated on optimising the recovery experimental design and determining the influence of water matrix on the survival of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and E. coli strains. This was done by measuring the low-pressure UV dose response and recovery under light and dark conditions by way of colony count comparisons. Findings indicate that the physico-chemical characteristics (Ultraviolet transmission percentage (UVT%), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS) and turbidity) that influence light penetration negatively, influence UV disinfection efficacy and recovery potential of bacteria negatively. S. enterica indicated a higher recovery potential than E. coli and therefore E. coli should not be used as the only indicator of UV disinfection efficacy. Applying a higher UV dose (60 mJ.cmˉ²) did however prove the ability to overcome the challenges posed by bacterium types with higher UV resistance and changing physico-chemical characteristics of the water matrix to an extent when utilising a low-pressure UV collimated beam device. The second research chapter (chapter 4) employed a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) dye molecular investigation to distinguish whether the increase in colony counts ensuing the recovery period was due to active cells multiplying, viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells resuscitating and reproducing, or DNA damage being repaired and consequent cell replication taking place. DNA recovery could not be confirmed via Hoechst dye staining and fluorescence intensity measurements by means of spectrofluorometry. The colony counts observed for these same bacterial strains succeeding the recovery period, could possibly be assigned to VBNC cells that resuscitate once placed in the ideal growth environment as is the case with plate count methods. The third research chapter (chapter 5) focussed on practically implementing UV irradiation on larger volumes (1 000L) of river water used for irrigation purposes by treatment in a medium-pressure UV disinfection pilot plant. The results pointed toward medium pressure UV being more effective at reducing bacteria in raw river water, but allows more recovery to take place, than low pressure UV. By increasing the UV dose administered by the medium pressure UV source, the recovery of bacteria was decreased substantially. Surviving bacteria were identified to be opportunistic pathogens which could still pose a health risk. Overall, it was recognized from this study that a higher UV dose (60 mJ.cmˉ²) can overcome the challenges posed by low water quality. Salmonella spp. indicated a higher potential for UV resistance and opportunistic pathogens found in bacterial communities are more likely to survive UV-C treatment. Medium pressure UV decreased the bacterial populations significantly and therefore could still be utilised as part of a hurdle strategy to improve the safety of irrigation water from contaminated river sources. | AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ten einde UV-bestraling as 'n effektiewe ontsmettingsmetode vir besproeiingswater te ondersoek, ongeag mikrobiologiese herstel, is verskeie studies uitgevoer. Hierdie studies het die herstel van bakterieë gemonitor na verskeie UV-doserings, twee UV-bronne en diverse watermatrikse. Uit hierdie studies is gevind dat rivierwater in die Wes-Kaap wat vir besproeiing gebruik word, hoër Escherichia coli (E. coli) tellings het as wat in die Suid-Afrikaanse besproeiingswaterriglyne aanbeveel word. Dit kan lei tot besmetting van vars produkte indien dit nie voor gebruik op die plaas aangespreek word nie. Alhoewel UV geïdentifiseer is as 'n potensiële ontsmettingsmetode om voor gebruik op besproeiingswater toegepas te word, word die konstante doeltreffendheid daarvan steeds in die praktyk bevraagteken. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die oorlewingspotensiaal van voedselpatogene in rivierwater met wisselende fisies-chemiese eienskappe na UV- C bestralingsbehandeling te ondersoek om die veiligheid van vars produkte te verbeter. Die eerste navorsingshoofstuk (hoofstuk 3), het gekonsentreer op die optimalisering van die herstel eksperimentele ontwerp en die bepaling van die invloed van watermatriks op die oorlewing van Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. en E. coli-spesies deur die lae-druk UV dosis reaksie en herstel onder lig en donker toestande te meet by wyse van kolonietelling vergelykings. Dit het bevind dat die fisies-chemiese eienskappe (UVT%, TSS, TDS en troebelheid) wat ligpenetrasie negatief beïnvloed, UV- ontsmettingseffektiwiteit en herstelpotensiaal van bakterieë negatief beïnvloed. Salmonella enterica het die hoogste herstelpotensiaal aangedui en is nie akkuraat voorgestel deur die E. coli resultate nie. Die toediening van 'n hoër UV-dosis het egter die vermoë bewys om die uitdaging van bakterieëtipe en watermatriks tot 'n mate te oorkom wanneer 'n laedruk UV-gekollimeerde straaltoestel gebruik word. Die tweede navorsingshoofstuk het 'n molekulêre ondersoek gebruik om te onderskei of die toename in kolonietellings wat die herstelperiode gevolg het, te wyte was aan aktiewe selle wat vermenigvuldig het, VBNC-selle wat resussiteer en reproduseer, of DNA-skade wat herstel is en gevolglike selverplisering wat plaasvind. DNS-herwinning kon nie deur middel van Hoechst-kleurstofkleuring en fluoressensie- intensiteitmetings deur middel van spektrofluorometrie bevestig word nie. Die kolonietellings wat waargeneem is vir dieselfde bakteriese stamme wat die herstelperiode opvolg, kan moontlik toegeken word aan VBNC-selle wat resussiteer sodra dit in die ideale groeiomgewing geplaas is, soos die geval is met plaattellingmetodes. Die derde navorsingshoofstuk het gefokus op die praktiese implementering van UV-bestraling op groter volumes (1 000L) rivierwater wat vir besproeiingsdoeleindes gebruik word deur behandeling in 'n mediumdruk UV-ontsmettingsproefaanleg. Die resultate het daarop gewys dat mediumdruk UV meer effektief is om bakterieë in rou rivierwater te verminder, maar laat meer herstel plaasvind as laedruk UV. Deur die UV-dosis toegedien deur die mediumdruk UV-bron te verhoog, is die herstel van bakterieë aansienlik verminder. Oorlewende bakterieë is geïdentifiseer as opportunistiese patogene wat steeds 'n gesondheidsrisiko kan inhou. Oor die algemeen is uit hierdie studie erken dat 'n hoër UV-dosis (60 mJ.cmˉ²) die uitdagings wat deur lae waterkwaliteit gestel word, kan oorkom. Salmonella spp. het 'n hoër potensiaal vir UV-weerstand aangedui en opportunistiese patogene wat in bakteriese gemeenskappe gevind word, is meer geneig om UV- C-behandeling te oorleef. Mediumdruk UV het die vermoë om die bakteriese populasies aansienlik te verminder en kan dus steeds gebruik word as deel van 'n hekkiestrategie om die veiligheid van besproeiingswater uit besmette rivierbronne te verbeter. | Masters

This position paper advocates for the integration of the water, energy, food and ecosystem (WEFE) nexus approach into Nepal’s policy and planning processes. By doing so, it aspires to foster a development trajectory that is sustainable, inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of all citizens, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized groups, against a backdrop of accelerating climate change and resource interdependencies. The main contents of the paper are summarized below. Understanding the WEFE nexus: The WEFE nexus represents a holistic approach to managing interconnected natural resources essential for human well-being and environmental sustainability. This approach involves the management of water, energy, food and ecosystems in an integrated manner to enhance security and efficiency across these sectors. It aims to increase resource efficiency, minimize trade-offs, bolster synergies and improve governance, keeping in view the interdependencies of these sectors. It emphasizes a shift from a focus on particular resources to a systems perspective that prioritizes comprehensive resource security and environmental protection. It advocates for people-centric solutions that are driven by demand-led technological and market innovations. Nexus thinking is essential to balance competing interests in the water, energy and food sectors while maintaining ecosystem health. In Nepal’s context, the integration of the political and social dimensions of the WEFE nexus determines who controls and accesses natural resources. The WEFE nexus approach, integrated with gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and livelihood considerations, is vital to supporting the economically poor and socially marginalized sections in Nepal who are reliant on natural resources. Importance of the WEFE nexus approach in Nepal: In Nepal, the concept of the WEFE nexus is in its developmental stage but is highly pertinent due to worrying trends that are adversely affecting human well-being and the environment. Nepal faces varied challenges, including water scarcity, unpredictable and extreme environmental events and rising demand for energy and food, all of which underscore the need for a strategic and integrated approach to resource management. This paper argues that the WEFE nexus approach is imperative for Nepal, for several reasons. These include the interconnectedness of resource systems and recognizing and managing the interdependencies among water, energy, food and ecosystems; Nepal’s climate change vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience against climate-induced risks; global commitments in alignment with international obligations and sustainable development goals (SDGs); resource governance and achieving equitable and efficient resource management; and cross-sectoral climate impacts, and hence the need to address the comprehensive effects of climate change on resources. Essentially, the WEFE nexus needs to be promoted in national policies, plans and strategies to ensure sustainable development. Purpose and rationale of this position paper: This position paper seeks to provide a roadmap for all stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and international development partners, by (i) offering a critical overview of the WEFE nexus approach; (ii) proposing a practical WEFE framework tailored for Nepal, considering GESI and livelihood perspectives; and (iii) suggesting strategies for improved governance through enhanced coordination and collaboration between different sectors, thereby optimizing resource use and conserving ecosystems. Nepal’s political, economic and social context: Nepal’s transition to a federal polity has introduced and accompanied a number of significant shifts in the socio-economic context that impact the WEFE sectors. These shifts include demographic, social and economic changes; urbanization; migration; and societal challenges such as youth unemployment, gender inequality and social exclusion. These elements form the backdrop against which the WEFE sectors operate, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of their interconnections and effects. WEFE policies and institutional context in Nepal: For Nepal to effectively implement the WEFE nexus approach, there is a need for improved policy coherence, inter-sectoral collaboration mainly between the WEFE sectors and a commitment by all stakeholders to integrating GESI considerations in their activities. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including policymakers, development partners and the community at large. The recognition of the WEFE nexus within Nepal’s policy and legal frameworks is an ongoing process. Despite policy commitments and some progress in integrated approaches, varied challenges persist due to fragmentation and compartmentalization of the management of natural resources and disconnected policies in water, energy, food and forest resources. The lack of synergy, collaboration and adequate investment further complicates the execution of nexus-oriented programs.

The term ‘green ammonia’ can be misleading. For fertilisers to merit a green label, the industry must adopt a planetary boundaries framework that includes reducing carbon emissions and circular management of nutrients. It should seek to achieve net reductions in reactive nitrogen and phosphorus fuxes to terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The complex relationship between water, energy, food, and ecological systems, known as the WEFE nexus, has emerged as a major topic in the debate about sustainable economic development and resource management. This subject is of special interest in Mediterranean coastal areas as rapid economic expansion driven by population growth, higher influx of tourists, and intensification of agriculture is leading to structural water scarcity conditions. However, addressing the diverse range of issues associated with the nexus is a difficult task due to the existence of intricate interconnections, interdependencies, and nonlinearities within and across its various components. Accordingly, this case study applies a combination of participatory systems modeling and network analysis tools to yield insights into the complexity of this nexus in Axarquia, a region with features that make it an example of water-stressed jurisdictions in the Mediterranean. Overall, our results provide a strong foundation to understand the dynamics that govern this nexus in regions where the availability of freshwater resources is a significant concern. Furthermore, they lay the groundwork for the development of models and scenarios to simulate the impact of various policies and interventions on the overall system.

Campylobacter spp. is a major source of global gastrointestinal infections. Their enteric infections are linked to the consumption of undercooked poultry products, contaminated milk and water, and the handling of wild animals and birds. The detection of Campylobacter spp. in water and food samples mainly depends on culture-based techniques. Public Health England (PHE), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the International Standard Organization (ISO) have standardized Campylobacter spp. isolation and enumeration procedures for food and water samples, which involve the usage of selective agar media and enrichment broth. Different types of selective plating and enrichment media have been prepared for Campylobacter spp. detection and assessment during regular food surveillance and food poisoning. To date, culture media remains the standard option for microbiological food analysis and has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO). This review discusses the standard microbiological protocols for Campylobacter spp. isolation and enumeration in food and water and evaluates detection media (pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, and selective plating) for their rational applications. Moreover, it also elaborates on the advantages and disadvantages of recent chromogenic culture media in Campylobacter spp.-oriented food surveillance. This review also highlights the challenges of culture-based techniques, future developments, and alternative methods for Campylobacter spp. detection in food and water samples.