IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v13y2024i10p1637-d1494300.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Coupling Relationships and Driving Mechanisms of Water–Energy–Food in China from the Perspective of Supply and Demand Security

Author

Listed:
  • Qin Zhang

    (College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Jing Shao

    (College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Jianmin Qiao

    (College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Qian Cao

    (School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Haimeng Liu

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

Abstract

The rapid increase in population and economy, coupled with accelerated urbanization, is placing immense pressure on the water–energy–food (WEF) system. In this context, the water–energy–food nexus framework has emerged, recognizing the interdependencies and interactions among water, energy, and food systems, with the aim of optimizing resource management through cross-sectoral collaboration to promote sustainable development. Understanding the spatio-temporal differentiation patterns of the WEF nexus and elucidating the driving mechanisms behind changes in their coupling relationships is essential. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring the security of each subsystem and enhancing the overall sustainability of interconnected systems through coordinated efforts. To address these challenges, this study first established evaluation indicators for water, energy, and food security to quantify their levels and spatio-temporal dynamics. Subsequently, the degrees of coupling coordination within the WEF nexus were calculated. Finally, the WEF nexus’s spatial correlations were analyzed by using a spatial autocorrelation model. Spatial econometric models then identified key factors affecting its coordination. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in water, energy, and food security across mainland China’s provinces. From 2002 to 2022, water security improved substantially in 87% of the provinces, while energy security began to improve in the eastern regions following a phase of high consumption. Food security saw significant enhancements, particularly in Inner Mongolia and the northeastern provinces. The overall coupling coordination of the WEF nexus improved across 30 provinces, progressing toward primary coordination. However, Henan and Anhui provinces experienced fluctuations in WEF nexus coordination. Spatial correlation analysis showed upward trends and increased clustering in WEF nexus coordination. Factors such as economic development and population positively influenced coordination, while economic agglomeration, education, and effective irrigation area had negative effects. This study elucidates the complex interconnections and key influencing factors within the WEF nexus, providing a reference framework and practical recommendations for equitable resource management.

Suggested Citation

  • Qin Zhang & Jing Shao & Jianmin Qiao & Qian Cao & Haimeng Liu, 2024. "Coupling Relationships and Driving Mechanisms of Water–Energy–Food in China from the Perspective of Supply and Demand Security," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:10:p:1637-:d:1494300
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/10/1637/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/10/1637/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ning, Songrui & Zhou, Beibei & Shi, Jianchu & Wang, Quanjiu, 2021. "Soil water/salt balance and water productivity of typical irrigation schedules for cotton under film mulched drip irrigation in northern Xinjiang," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    2. Vagliasindi,Maria & Gorgulu,Nisan, 2021. "What Have We Learned about the Effectiveness of Infrastructure Investment as a FiscalStimulus ? A Literature Review," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9796, The World Bank.
    3. Feike, Til & Khor, Ling Yee & Mamitimin, Yusuyunjiang & Ha, Nan & Li, Lin & Abdusalih, Nurbay & Xiao, Haifeng & Doluschitz, Reiner, 2017. "Determinants of cotton farmers’ irrigation water management in arid Northwestern China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 1-10.
    4. Villholth, Karen, 2006. "Integrating science into groundwater management decisions," Conference Papers h039321, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Kurian, Mathew, 2017. "The water-energy-food nexus," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 97-106.
    6. Feng, Chen-Yu & Yang, Xiaodong & Afshan, Sahar & Irfan, Muhamamd, 2023. "Can renewable energy technology innovation promote mineral resources’ green utilization efficiency? Novel insights from regional development inequality," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    7. Wang, Jieyong & Zhang, Ziwen & Liu, Yansui, 2018. "Spatial shifts in grain production increases in China and implications for food security," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 204-213.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alauddin, Mohammad & Rashid Sarker, Md. Abdur & Islam, Zeenatul & Tisdell, Clement, 2020. "Adoption of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation as a water-saving technology in Bangladesh: Economic and environmental considerations," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    2. Tong Su & Xinjun Wang & Songrui Ning & Jiandong Sheng & Pingan Jiang & Shenghan Gao & Qiulan Yang & Zhixin Zhou & Hanyu Cui & Zhilin Li, 2024. "Enhancing Soil Salinity Evaluation Accuracy in Arid Regions: An Integrated Spatiotemporal Data Fusion and AI Model Approach for Arable Lands," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Sharma, Bharat R. & Rao, K. V. G. K. & Sharma, G., 2009. "Groundwater externalities of large surface irrigation transfers: lessons from Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, Rajasthan, India," IWMI Conference Proceedings 257992, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Shixiong Song & Siyuan Zhao & Ye Zhang & Yongxi Ma, 2023. "Carbon Emissions from Agricultural Inputs in China over the Past Three Decades," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-12, April.
    5. Li, Yunfeng & Yu, Qihua & Ning, Huifeng & Gao, Yang & Sun, Jingsheng, 2023. "Simulation of soil water, heat, and salt adsorptive transport under film mulched drip irrigation in an arid saline-alkali area using HYDRUS-2D," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    6. Govindan, Rajesh & Al-Ansari, Tareq, 2019. "Computational decision framework for enhancing resilience of the energy, water and food nexus in risky environments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 653-668.
    7. Li, Xinqiang & Wang, Cheng, 2024. "Clean Energy's influence on the mineral resource market in the ASEAN region," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    8. Krarti, Moncef & Aldubyan, Mohammad, 2021. "Mitigation analysis of water consumption for power generation and air conditioning of residential buildings: Case study of Saudi Arabia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    9. Cao, Jianjun & Wei, Chen & Adamowski, Jan F. & Zhou, Junju & Liu, Chunfang & Zhu, Guofeng & Dong, Xiaogang & Zhang, Xiaofang & Zhao, Huijun & Feng, Qi, 2020. "Could arid and semi-arid abandoned lands prove ecologically or economically valuable if they afford greater soil organic carbon storage than afforested lands in China’s Loess Plateau?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    10. Ul-Allah, Sami & Rehman, Abdul & Hussain, Mubshar & Farooq, Muhammad, 2021. "Fiber yield and quality in cotton under drought: Effects and management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    11. Mercure, J.-F. & Paim, M.A. & Bocquillon, P. & Lindner, S. & Salas, P. & Martinelli, P. & Berchin, I.I. & de Andrade Guerra, J.B.S.O & Derani, C. & de Albuquerque Junior, C.L. & Ribeiro, J.M.P. & Knob, 2019. "System complexity and policy integration challenges: The Brazilian Energy- Water-Food Nexus," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 230-243.
    12. Elena Helerea & Marius D. Calin & Cristian Musuroi, 2023. "Water Energy Nexus and Energy Transition—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-31, February.
    13. Yu, Zhenning & She, Shuoqi & Xia, Chuyu & Luo, Jiaojiao, 2023. "How to solve the dilemma of China’s land fallow policy: Application of voluntary bidding mode in the Yangtze River Delta of China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    14. Katrin Martens & Sebastian Rogga & Jana Zscheischler & Bernd Pölling & Andreas Obersteg & Annette Piorr, 2022. "Classifying New Hybrid Cooperation Models for Short Food-Supply Chains—Providing a Concept for Assessing Sustainability Transformation in the Urban-Rural Nexus," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-24, April.
    15. Minghao Bai & Shenbei Zhou & Ting Tang, 2022. "A Reconstruction of Irrigated Cropland Extent in China from 2000 to 2019 Using the Synergy of Statistics and Satellite-Based Datasets," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-27, September.
    16. Yang, Zhaofu & Liu, Hong & Yuan, Yongna & Li, Muhua, 2024. "Can renewable energy development facilitate China's sustainable energy transition? Perspective from Energy Trilemma," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    17. Jian, Yuqing & Liu, Zhengjia & Gong, Jianzhou, 2022. "Response of landscape dynamics to socio-economic development and biophysical setting across the farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China and its implications for regional sustainable land management," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    18. Liu, Yansui & Zhou, Yang, 2021. "Reflections on China's food security and land use policy under rapid urbanization," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    19. Chen, Xin & Jiang, Li & Zhang, Guoliang & Meng, Lijun & Pan, Zhihua & Lun, Fei & An, Pingli, 2021. "Green-depressing cropping system: A referential land use practice for fallow to ensure a harmonious human-land relationship in the farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    20. Matilda Azong Cho & Abel Ramoelo & Lindiwe M. Sibanda, 2023. "Exploring the Integration of the Land, Water, and Energy Nexus in Sustainable Food Systems Research through a Socio-Economic Lens: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-21, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:10:p:1637-:d:1494300. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.