Analysis and Synergistic Management of the Water-Ecology-Energy-Food Nexus under a Changing Environment

Background:

Amid global climate change and intensified human activities, the stability of the Water-Ecology-Energy-Food (WEEF) nexus is facing unprecedented challenges. Changes in precipitation patterns, increasing frequency of extreme weather events, and water scarcity directly affect agricultural production, ecosystem health, energy supply, and food security. Meanwhile, factors such as population growth, accelerated urbanization, land-use changes, and energy transitions have been continuously reshaping the dynamic equilibrium of the WEEF system. Hence, it has become a central topic in sustainable development research to understand the evolutionary mechanism of the WEEF nexus and develop coordinated optimization strategies. 

This special issue is supported by the International Symposium on Water-Ecology-Energy-Food Nexus to be held in Nanjing, China during 25-27 May 2025. The Symposium is organized by Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute and supported by the Chinese National Committee of International Association of Hydrological Sciences, and Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS). It aims to bring together scientists from around the world to share their latest findings, engage in in-depth discussion on the frontier issues related to WEEF issues under global change, and promote academic exchanges and cooperation.

The Symposium will focus on the following topics: 

1. Challenges and adaptation strategies for the WEEF nexus under a changing environment, including the impacts of climate change on water use, ecosystem stability, energy structure adjustment, food production, as well as adaptive measures at a regional scale.
2. Evolutionary characteristics and coordinated management mechanisms of the WEEF coupled system, covering system dynamics modeling, trade-off analysis, multi-scale model development, and optimization of regulation strategies.
3. Applications of artificial intelligence and big data technologies in the WEEF nexus research, such as multi-source remote sensing and IoT-based monitoring, deep learning simulations, reinforcement learning for real-time control, and intelligent management system development.
4. International cooperation practices of the WEEF nexus under the Belt and Road Initiative, including global water governance, sustainable agricultural models, cross-border water resources utilization policies, and optimization of infrastructure investment.

Titled “Analysis and Synergistic Management of the Water-Ecology-Energy-Food Nexus under a Changing Environment”, the special issue focuses on the response mechanisms and adaptation strategies of the WEEF coupled system under multiple stressors, including climate change, socio-economic development, and policy regulations. In particular, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), international cooperation in water resources management, ecological conservation, energy development, and food security is becoming increasingly important. Exploring interdisciplinary and multi-scale approaches for coordinated WEEF management is of strategic significance for global sustainable development. 

Experts and scholars are invited to submit papers to this special issue to discuss key scientific issues, methodologies, and policy solutions for the WEEF nexus, following the instructions in the ATTACHMENT.

Looking forward to your valuable contributions! 

 

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Xiaojun Wang

Deputy Director, Rural Water Management Department, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Ministry of Water Resources

Dean, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanchang Institute of Technology

Address: No. 225 Guangzhou Road Nanjing 210029 P. R. CHINA

Phone: +86-025-85829767      Fax: +86-025-85828888

E-mail: xjwang@nhri.cn

Website: http://yjs.nhri.cn/art/2020/7/3/art_682_43834.html

 

Prof. Dr. Eun-Sung Chung

Department of Civil Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology

Address: Areum Hall 305, Gongneung-ro 232 Nowon-gu, Seoul

Phone: +82-29709017

E-mail: eschung@seoultech.ac.kr

Website: https://civil.seoultech.ac.kr/en/intro/faculty/?togo=list&menu=1394&profidx=02425

 

Prof. Dr. Long Ma

The Vice Dean of the College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University

Address: College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, CHINA

Phone: +86-18804716707

E-mail: malong4444333@163.com

Website: https://sjy.imau.edu.cn/info/1013/7972.htm

 

Prof. Dr. Xuning Guo

MWR General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design,

Address: No.1 Building of Liupukang No.4 Courtyard, Xicheng District, Beijing, Beijing 100120, CHINA

Phone: +86-13810519641

E-mail: guoxuning@giwp.org.cn

 

Associate Prof. Dr. Hui Li

Director of the Institute of Urban and Regional Ecological Engineering, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University

Address: No.19, Xinjiekouwai St, Haidian District, Beijing, 100875, CHINA

Phone: +86-15171457781

E-mail: lihuui@bnu.edu.cn

Website: https://envfaculty.bnu.edu.cn/Public/htm/news/5/137.html

 

ATTACHMENT:

Paper Submission Information

Authors shall submit papers on line to Water-Energy Nexus Journal by registering and logging into the submission portal. After registration, please click [here] to access the submission form. Guidelines for authors and other relevant submission details can be found on the journal’s [Instructions for Authors]  page. Submissions shall be made before deadline. Submitted papers should neither have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All submissions that pass initial screening will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal and listed together on the special issue webpage. Original research articles, review papers, and short communications are welcome. 

Authors interested in contributing to this special issue are encouraged to submit a tentative title and a brief abstract (approximately 100 words in English) to the editorial team for consideration and potential early feedback. 

Article Processing Charge (APC): 

Water-Energy Nexus Journal is an open-access journal, and APC applies to accepted papers. Please refer to the journal’s website for the latest APC details. 

Language and Formatting: 

Submitted papers shall be well-formatted and written in proficient English. Authors may use the journal’s English editing service before publication or during author revisions. 

For further information, please visit the journal website or contact the guest editor.

Keywords

• Water-Ecology-Energy-Food Nexus
• Changing Environment
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Artificial Intelligence Application
• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) International Cooperation
• Resource Coordinated Regulation 

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Important Deadlines:

• Submission deadline: 1 April 2025 - 1 October 2026