The conceptual framework to determine interrelations and interactions for holistic Water, Energy, and Food Nexus

Several models with a variety of concepts and approaches have been proposed to address different aspects of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus system. In some models, the interaction between WEF resources is considered without considering the internal relationships between subsystems and vice versa. This is while, a comprehensive model should consider all internal and external relationships between the three subsystems which are named interrelations and interactions, respectively. Therefore, this study was an initial step to introduce the holistic WEF nexus simulator framework and its components. In a holistic model, it is axiomatic that extensive data should be gathered. Hence, in the second step, the authors attempted to classify the huge amount of required data into two distinct categories: (1) non-simulated data (independent parameters, independent variables, and management parameters) and (2) simulated data (IFs and THENs). In addition to providing valuable feedback on the WEF nexus concept and providing required data for policy evaluation and assessment, listing and classifying the required data and describing them in terms of IFs and THENs will provide valuable insight. This study shows how extensive data can be accessed and shared within a comprehensive nexus simulation model. As a result of using this classification method, the interrelations between each subsystem and the interactions with other subsystems in the nexus model can be extracted simply, and none of them will be overlooked due to lack of knowledge about the nexus system. Additionally, these IFs and THENs variables are considered as a great solution to diminish the complexity of the nexus system to implement it.