Operationalizing water-energy-food nexus research for sustainable development in social-ecological systems: an interdisciplinary learning case in Central Asia

In social-ecological systems, natural resource management can be characterized by trade-offs across sectors and sustainability targets. The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus concept makes explicit various in order to maximize synergies of interventions. However, there are few successful examples its operationalization research settings. Here, we explore a learning setting if impact assessment (SIA) protocols useful process used adopt systemic, interdisciplinary perspective operationalize WEF for sustainable development. method adopted SIA protocol, evaluated five exemplary cases Central Asia during week-long international workshop, adequately addressed the complexity interrelationships associated issues, facilitated comparative case study analysis scales. Results within this highlight that water governance was critical large-scale transboundary management, while land soil were decisive minimizing at local levels. Issues interdisciplinarity, complexity, uncertainty, reflection on impacts addressed, but challenges remain consideration ethics design transparent, multi-actor cooperation. Most importantly, exercise showed employment protocol supported disciplinary experts work disciplines take systemic approach analyzing nexus.