Abstract
Water, energy and food are the basic resources for human survival and development. The coordination development of water-energy-food (W-E-F) is of great significance to promote regional sustainable development. In this study, Northwest China (Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang) was selected as the research case, and an evaluation index system was constructed to assess the vulnerability and coordination of water-energy-food (W-E-F) system based on PSR model. Then, a coupled model based on cloud-matter element model and coordination degree model was proposed. The cloud-matter element model was adopted to evaluate the vulnerability level of W-E-F system. The coordination degree model was employed to calculate the coordination degrees of W-E-F system. The results showed that, from 2006 to 2015, the vulnerability levels of W-E-F system in Northwest China were mostly at Level 1. The coordination degrees of W-E-F system belonged to the transitional development level (II) in most years. The vulnerability and coordination problems of W-E-F system in Northwest China were severe. The comprehensive vulnerability index values of W-E-F system were generally on the rise, but far from reaching a good level. Moreover, the comprehensive vulnerability index values and coordination degrees of W-E-F system in Northwest China do not match well. Finally, the countermeasures and suggestions to improve the coordinated development of water resource, energy and food in Northwest China were put forward.
Highlights
Water, energy and food are important resources for the economic and social sustainable development
Vulnerability Index Values of W-E-F System in 2015 For better understanding, this paper listed a small number of data
It can be seen from the growth trend and fluctuation rule of vulnerability and coordination that the leading factors restricted the coordinated development of water resources, energy and food in different periods are different
Summary
Energy and food are important resources for the economic and social sustainable development. This paper used cloud-matter element model to evaluate the vulnerability level of water-energy-food system. This paper proposes a water-energy-food system vulnerability level assessment method based on the cloud-matter element model. The coordination model is to use mathematical expressions to relate the various subsystems together based on the calculation of the comprehensive vulnerability index value of each subsystems and W-E-F system and to calculate the coordination degree of the water-energy-food system. PSR [41] (pressure-state-response) model can comprehensively consider social, economic, natural and environmental factors, providing a theoretical framework for the vulnerability and coordination evaluation system. It answers three basic questions about sustainable development: “what happened, why it happened, and how we will do it”. National Economic and Social Development Bulletins of China China Food Statistical Yearbook
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