Spatio-temporal evolution pattern and obstacle factors of water-energy-food nexus coupling coordination in the Yangtze river economic belt

The water-energy-food nexus (WEF nexus) poses a substantial global challenge driven by population growth and resource scarcity, necessitating the optimization of interconnections between water, energy, and food subsystems. The effective management of the WEF nexus has emerged as a pivotal component of sustainable development strategies. Based on the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework, this research establishes a comprehensive WEF nexus assessment indicator system to scrutinize the interrelationships and coordination mechanisms among these three essential systems. This study investigates the spatio-temporal characteristics and obstacle factors within the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2012 to 2022 using the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and obstacle factor diagnosis (OFD) model. The findings reveal several key insights: (1) The WEF nexus coupling degree (CD) across various provinces within the YREB currently exhibits a high-quality coupling state, characterized by minimal fluctuations and robust interconnectedness among the three subsystems; (2) Noteworthy disparities are observed in the spatio-temporal pattern of the WEF nexus CCD, reflecting an overarching evolutionary trend from low to high coupling coordination; (3) The obstacle factor analysis underscores critical areas for future focus in the YREB's development, emphasizing the efficient treatment of industrial emissions, urban water conservation, and adjustments to the proportion of coal consumption. This study contributes valuable insights for the CCD of the WEF nexus, providing valuable decision-making references for regional resource integration and the pursuit of sustainable development goals.