vi
This book reflects the diverse interdisciplinary scholarship that contributes to the
nexus, including biophysical sciences, economics, agriculture, social sciences, business, political science, engineering, modeling, computing, and data science, and
their applications to real-world problem-solving. We assume that some readers may
have substantial disciplinary expertise in one or more of these areas. However, few,
if any, readers will come to this subject with a background in all aspects of the
nexus. Therefore, we have included introductory material in all chapters. The reader
may choose to skip introductory material in areas where they have expertise.
Each chapter’s end matter includes a summary of key points, a limited set of
discussion points and exercises to facilitate learning, references, and suggested further readings. Appendices A–D contain a list of nexus institutions, a list of treaties,
declarations and laws referred to in the book, data sources that are utilized in exercises, and a rich set of supplemental FEW educational resources that can be utilized
by teachers and students. Finally, a glossary is provided. Glossary terms are in bold
when first used in the text.
While this book is the result of the work of many authors who were responsible
for different chapters, considerable effort has been made to integrate the text into a
seamless whole. The authors have reviewed each other’s work and revised their
chapters to integrate with the rest of the book. Most chapters include contributions
of text and insight from the authors of other chapters. Chapters 12, 17, and 21 are
team-writing efforts. All chapters were subject to careful review and editing. We
thank those who contributed to the integration and editing.
Because the food-energy-water nexus is a subject where scholarship is relatively
new and changing rapidly, we do not claim that this is the “definitive” text on the
subject. Rather, this is the first step in an exciting and profoundly important area of
education, science, and practice.
Germantown, MD, USA
Peter Saundry
Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Benjamin L. Ruddell
Preface
This book reflects the diverse interdisciplinary scholarship that contributes to the
nexus, including biophysical sciences, economics, agriculture, social sciences, business, political science, engineering, modeling, computing, and data science, and
their applications to real-world problem-solving. We assume that some readers may
have substantial disciplinary expertise in one or more of these areas. However, few,
if any, readers will come to this subject with a background in all aspects of the
nexus. Therefore, we have included introductory material in all chapters. The reader
may choose to skip introductory material in areas where they have expertise.
Each chapter’s end matter includes a summary of key points, a limited set of
discussion points and exercises to facilitate learning, references, and suggested further readings. Appendices A–D contain a list of nexus institutions, a list of treaties,
declarations and laws referred to in the book, data sources that are utilized in exercises, and a rich set of supplemental FEW educational resources that can be utilized
by teachers and students. Finally, a glossary is provided. Glossary terms are in bold
when first used in the text.
While this book is the result of the work of many authors who were responsible
for different chapters, considerable effort has been made to integrate the text into a
seamless whole. The authors have reviewed each other’s work and revised their
chapters to integrate with the rest of the book. Most chapters include contributions
of text and insight from the authors of other chapters. Chapters 12, 17, and 21 are
team-writing efforts. All chapters were subject to careful review and editing. We
thank those who contributed to the integration and editing.
Because the food-energy-water nexus is a subject where scholarship is relatively
new and changing rapidly, we do not claim that this is the “definitive” text on the
subject. Rather, this is the first step in an exciting and profoundly important area of
education, science, and practice.
Germantown, MD, USA
Peter Saundry
Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Benjamin L. Ruddell
Preface