A review of globally available data sources for modelling the Water-Energy-Food Nexus

The Water-Energy-Food Nexus (WEFN) is gaining attention as an important approach to manage resources more holistically. Data availability, however, is a crucial barrier to WEFN implementation globally. To assist modellers and practitioners in navigating this barrier, 'data hierarchies' were created, based on a comprehensive review of openly globally available data in water, energy, and food sectors. Global data sources considered include Satellite Remote Sensing (RS), Reanalysis, Global Observation Networks and Land Surface Models. The data hierarchies detail what data are suitable for modelling water, energy, and food availability globally. Furthermore, the review has highlighted which variables are not well monitored by global data sources, and for the first time has dis-cussed global data sources' interactions in the WEFN. The findings from the review and the associated data interactions have been used to recommend priority areas from a WEFN perspective for improving global data availability, and include streamflow, wind speed, and hydropower data.

Automated summary

The Water-Energy-Food Nexus (WEFN) faces a crucial barrier of data availability for its global implementation. To help modellers and practitioners overcome this barrier, "data hierarchies" were created to specify suitable data for modelling water, energy, and food availability globally. The review also identified variables that are poorly monitored by global data sources and discussed their interactions in the WEFN for the first time. The findings and data interactions were used to recommend priority areas for improving global data availability from a WEFN perspective, including streamflow, wind speed, and hydropower data.