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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #355840
Title: The intersection between the food-energy-water nexus and effective mitigation and adaptation strategies

Author
item Hatfield, Jerry
item Sauer, Thomas
item CRUSE, RICHARD - Iowa State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2018
Publication Date: 11/7/2018
Citation: Hatfield, J.L., Sauer, T.J., Cruse, R.M. 2018. The intersection between the food-energy-water nexus and effective mitigation and adaptation strategies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of ASA-CSSA International Meeting, November 4-7, 2018, Baltimore, MD.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Climate change indicators include a rising carbon dioxide level, increasing and more extreme temperatures, and increasing and more variable precipitation. The one aspect that has been ignored in the food-energy-water nexus is the soil component. Soil is inherently linked with all components of this nexus and it could be argued that it should be the central focus. The dynamics of the food, energy, or water systems are being impacted by climate change and the impact will become even greater. For example, it has been suggested that the current adaptation strategies for crop production may be sufficient until mid-century and then the impact of climate change will overwhelm these system. Mitigation strategies that focus on the soil will have positive benefits in terms of enhancing the capacity of the soil to provide climate resilience because the additional carbon stored in the soil will enhance productivity of the soil for both food and energy and contribute to ecosystem services vital for water quantity and quality. Adaptation practices will require innovation in terms of developing systems capable of withstanding the extremes in temperature and precipitation. For example, without effective and consistent soil conservation practices, there will continue to be a degradation of the soil resource that ultimately leads to variation in food production. The challenge presented by the food-energy-water nexus discussion will force us to begin to consider all of the components of the ecosystem as a set of interrelated components rather than a separate set of pieces.