Sustainability indicators for farming systems in Pampa biome of Brazil: a methodological approach NEXUS-MESMIS

Abstract

Aim of study: To develop and measure sustainability indicators for the water-food-energy nexus in the Ibirapuitã river basin production systems in the Brazilian Pampa biome. The research seeks to contribute to the area of agriculture and sustainability along two lines: a) develop a methodology of sustainability indicators that can be applied to farming systems globally; and b) increase understanding of the interrelationship between water, food and energy and how it affects rural areas' sustainability. Area of study: The study was conducted in the Ibirapuitã river basin in the Brazilian Pampa biome. Material and methods: The construction of the indicators was based on the MESMIS methodology (Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems incorporating Sustainability Indicators). In research, 121 farming systems were sampled. The sustainability indexes of the indicators between and within each dimension were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. Main results: A significant difference was found between the averages of the indices of the dimensions in the production systems of the basin (p<0.05). The water dimension presented the highest level of sustainability, classified as "ideal". The energy dimension presented an intermediate level of sustainability, classified as "acceptable”. Furthermore, the food dimension presented the lowest sustainability index among the nexus, classified as "alert". These indexes contribute to identifying the main action points for improving the systems, being an essential tool for local rural extension. Research highlights: The study consolidated a methodology for measuring sustainability indicators based on farming systems' water, energy, and food production characteristics, capable of being replicated in other realities.