Water‐Energy‐Food‐Ecosystem Nexus: Ecosystem as a Key Component for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The demand for water, food, and energy—resources essential for human survival—is increasing. Given the interconnected relationships and systemic complexities among these resources, the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus was developed to highlight for decision-makers the cross-sectoral performance, internal processes, and broader impacts associated with their use. Access to these resources is critical not only for individual livelihoods but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The WEF nexus concept encourages stakeholders to view these resources as interconnected systems rather than isolated assets, emphasizing the importance of understanding the relationships among WEF. Additionally, ecosystems providing ecosystem services are often overlooked in nexus assessments. While ecosystem services are not commonly considered a pillar of the nexus assessment, they play a crucial role within it. Also, integrating ecosystem services into the analysis is critical to the sustainability and security of WEF nexus components. Hence, a water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus emphasizes how WEFEs are interconnected and interdependent. Thus, for the WEF nexus to function effectively and sustainably, its ecological impact must be considered. In general, WEFE nexus' aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between these systems and help identify opportunities for sustainable management and development.