Sustainability and assessment of factors driving the water-energy-food nexus in pumped irrigation systems
2022
Cui, Simeng | Wu, Mengyang | Huang, Xuan | Wang, Xiaojun | Cao, Xinchun
Understanding the status of water-energy-food (WEF) Nexus, oriented to the whole process of water extraction and deployment, water consumption for crop growth, and food production output, in irrigation systems is essential for food security and resources sustainability. Based on WEF Nexus quantification, combining traditional agricultural water-saving and water footprint theory, the sustainable development level (SDL) of water acquisition-transfer-consumption process for pumped irrigation systems was analyzed, using the principal component analysis (PCA) and taking the Lianshui Irrigation District (LID) in eastern China as a case study, in this paper. The driving mechanism of SDL for WEF Nexus was revealed by virtue of the partial least-squares regression (PLSR). Results showed that, annual SDL of the WEF Nexus in the pumped irrigation systems was 0.3 during the study period 2005–2019, mainly due to the low SDLₑ and SDLf, indicating that sustainability had been concerned. PRE and RRI were significant-positive factors, while CDI functioned as significant-negative driving factors on SDL of WEF Nexus. The measures adjusting crop planting structure, transforming irrigation and drainage mode, updating water pump equipment, and increasing agricultural investment contribute to the sustainability of WEF Nexus in the observed irrigation systems. Therefore, the sustainable management can be implemented according to the unique driving factors identification of WEF Nexus in pumped irrigation systems. The research is conducive to the management and program for irrigated agricultural systems under the changing circumstances.
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