412
Integrated modeling approaches to FEW systems such as Integrated Assessment
Models (IAMs) can couple representations of multiple human and natural systems
(e.g., the energy system, agriculture and land use, water supply and use, the economy, and climate) into a single computational platform. By achieving this integration, IAMs can focus on the interactions between these systems along with the
evolution of the systems themselves.
The focus on interactions between systems makes IAMs an ideal platform for the
exploration of FEW system interactions, and the interactions between these systems
and other key forcers such as climate change, socioeconomic and technological
change, and policy interventions in any of the FEW systems.
In addition, IAMs are generally designed to be computationally inexpensive so
that they can be used to explore large ranges of key parameter spaces, which is ideal
for two-way interactions with decision-makers and stakeholders. The integration of
modeling as supporting tools for decision-making processes is developed further in
Chap. 16.
The IAM approach has recently included the ability to telescope-in on particular
regions or sectors in greater detail, allowing for regional integrated assessment linked
to national or even global integrated analysis (Zhou et al. 2014; Liu et al. 2015a).
These advances make IAMs a promising platform for bringing together decisionmakers across sectors and levels of decision-making. Other FEW systems modeling
approaches are focused on enhancing and coupling individual food, energy, and
water system models to analyze the integrated FEW systems. In such model architectures, the initial state of the land/water use system, and a set of relevant exogenous
forcings drive climate, agricultural and hydro system models, to predict fine-scale
climate, crop, and water responses. The agronomic responses, through scale-aware
coupling, feed bio-hydro-economic system models, including agricultural to assess
the consequences on resources management and economics at farm, regional and
national scales. Some examples of these integrated modeling tools are described in
this chapter.
As recognition of the importance of FEW systems has grown, the focus of IAMs
has shifted from studying the interactions of a limited number of systems (energy–
economy–climate) at the global level to consideration of multiple interactions
(energy–water–land–economy–climate) and at greater temporal, spatial, and process
resolution.
Recent research has explored the effects of climate on water systems and their
connections to energy, agriculture, and climate and bioenergy and agricultural
systems.
Box 15.4 Case Study: Modeling the FEW System Nexus in the Middle
East and North Africa (MENA)
The objective of this work is to develop and illustrate an analytical framework
that can help formulate integrated (nexus) approaches for FEW system activities
in the MENA region. This work places focus on the following:
F. R. Miralles-Wilhelm
Integrated modeling approaches to FEW systems such as Integrated Assessment
Models (IAMs) can couple representations of multiple human and natural systems
(e.g., the energy system, agriculture and land use, water supply and use, the economy, and climate) into a single computational platform. By achieving this integration, IAMs can focus on the interactions between these systems along with the
evolution of the systems themselves.
The focus on interactions between systems makes IAMs an ideal platform for the
exploration of FEW system interactions, and the interactions between these systems
and other key forcers such as climate change, socioeconomic and technological
change, and policy interventions in any of the FEW systems.
In addition, IAMs are generally designed to be computationally inexpensive so
that they can be used to explore large ranges of key parameter spaces, which is ideal
for two-way interactions with decision-makers and stakeholders. The integration of
modeling as supporting tools for decision-making processes is developed further in
Chap. 16.
The IAM approach has recently included the ability to telescope-in on particular
regions or sectors in greater detail, allowing for regional integrated assessment linked
to national or even global integrated analysis (Zhou et al. 2014; Liu et al. 2015a).
These advances make IAMs a promising platform for bringing together decisionmakers across sectors and levels of decision-making. Other FEW systems modeling
approaches are focused on enhancing and coupling individual food, energy, and
water system models to analyze the integrated FEW systems. In such model architectures, the initial state of the land/water use system, and a set of relevant exogenous
forcings drive climate, agricultural and hydro system models, to predict fine-scale
climate, crop, and water responses. The agronomic responses, through scale-aware
coupling, feed bio-hydro-economic system models, including agricultural to assess
the consequences on resources management and economics at farm, regional and
national scales. Some examples of these integrated modeling tools are described in
this chapter.
As recognition of the importance of FEW systems has grown, the focus of IAMs
has shifted from studying the interactions of a limited number of systems (energy–
economy–climate) at the global level to consideration of multiple interactions
(energy–water–land–economy–climate) and at greater temporal, spatial, and process
resolution.
Recent research has explored the effects of climate on water systems and their
connections to energy, agriculture, and climate and bioenergy and agricultural
systems.
Box 15.4 Case Study: Modeling the FEW System Nexus in the Middle
East and North Africa (MENA)
The objective of this work is to develop and illustrate an analytical framework
that can help formulate integrated (nexus) approaches for FEW system activities
in the MENA region. This work places focus on the following:
F. R. Miralles-Wilhelm