Spatial–temporal distribution measurement of input–output efficiency of the water–energy–food nexus of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

Water, energy, and food are important factors affecting people’s lives socio-economic development, their production consumption processes closely related, so it is necessary to do research on input–output efficiency as a whole. The conducive promoting the effective utilization rational allocation of relevant resources in Yangtze River Economic Belt, thereby sustainable development. This study calculates water–energy–food (WEF) nexus 11 provincial administrative regions Belt utilizing DEA-BCC model. Then, new indicators called area expansion degree subsystem’s influence proposed with aid standard deviation ellipse model analyze characteristics trends spatial–temporal distribution efficiency. starts from basic spatial elements, including point, line, surface, used trend change according center gravity area. shift shows direction significant improvement effect resource allocation, differences speed between future development trend. results mainly indicate that middle lower reaches more reasonable than upper reaches, obviously concentrated northeast direction. It suggested should optimize industrial structure, improve flow talents technology be promoted.