From Concept to Implementation: Water–Food–Land–Energy Nexus

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the Water journal aims to delve into the critical interdependencies and security challenges associated with the nexus of water, food, land, and energy. The nexus concept recognizes the intricate connections and mutual influences among these fundamental resources, highlighting the need for comprehensive and resilient strategies to ensure their sustainable management. From theoretical frameworks to practical implementation, this Special Issue seeks to explore the background, significance, and practical implications of securing the nexus of water–food–land–energy.

The issue will feature a diverse range of research articles, case studies, and review papers that examine the complexities of the nexus and its implications for global water and food security, land use planning, energy production, and environmental sustainability. Contributions will focus on identifying the key challenges and opportunities associated with securing the nexus, highlighting innovative approaches, best practices, and lessons learned from different regions and sectors.

Key topics to be covered include the analysis of water–food–land–energy interdependencies, risk assessment and resilience strategies, policy frameworks for nexus security, technological innovations for resource efficiency, socio-economic impacts of nexus-related initiatives, and stakeholder engagement for effective implementation. By exploring these areas, the Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of the nexus security concept and provide valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in promoting integrated and sustainable approaches to water, food, land, and energy management.

In academic scholarship, the motivation to conduct evidence-based nexus research plays an important role to identify the trade-offs and externalities in the insurgencies. In addition, the synergies between sectors and the different scales (spatial and temporal or management) could be carefully examined. These studies contribute to comprehensive policy development and deliver productive services to the communities. Capturing the externalities across resources will benefit to optimize the management process and provide economic benefits to all stakeholders.

Across geographical political borders, natural resources sprawl and connect competing interests.  As the nexus approach connects the sectors, the interaction and interconnection across physical borders could lead to social and political conflicts. Some conflicts are protracted. Hydrodiplomacy within the nexus approach is another thematic focus to be examined.  

Prof. Dr. Olcay Ünver
Dr. Hassan Tolba Aboelnga
Dr. Sisira S. Withanachchi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• water–food–land–energy nexus
• nexus security
• resilient resource management
• policy frameworks
• technological innovations
• stakeholder engagement
• integrated resource planning
• sustainable development goals
• trade-offs and externalities
• alternative energy production
• economic resilience
• hydrodiplomacy