Conceptual models completed for all the case studies
Creators: name: Chrysi Laspidou
name: Janez Sušnik
name: Sara Masia
name: Henry Amorocho Daza
name: Alexandra Spyropoulou
name: Dimitrios Kofinas
name: Nikolaos Mellios
name: Konstantinos Ziliaskopoulos
name: Maria Papadopoulou
name: Chrysaida Papadopoulou
name: Daina Indriksone
name: Ingrida Bremere
name: Florentina Nanu
name: Stefano Terzi
name: Silvia Cocuccioni
name: Beatrice Sambo
name: Fabio Carnelli
name: Gareth Simpson
name: Daniella Kristensen
name: Blaine Haupt
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023

description: This Deliverable details the conceptual graphs related to the Water-Energy-FoodEcosystem (WEFE) nexus for all the Case Studies (CS) of the NEXOGENESIS project. It is the first and very important step in the development of fully quantitative complexity science System Dynamics Models (SDMs) for each CS, which will follow later in the project.

In this Deliverable, all Case Studies went through the process of identifying the major components that create interlinkages in their WEFE nexus systems. Building on theexperience of other previous projects that had worked on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus (i.e., the SIM4NEXUS project), partners went through a brainstorming exercise to identify ways to integrate the Ecosystem element in the nexus, essentially going from a WEF system to a WEFE system. The results of this exercise were decoded and were used as a guidance for partners to develop their conceptual models.

All these models are a result of stakeholder consultations that are taking place locally in workshops and have been updated with input from stakeholders, including the elements and modules that are identified as important from the stakeholders’ point of view. Case Studies present initially an overall high-level conceptual map that also captures the transboundary element and the complexity that is added to the system due to the fact that two countries are sharing a water body, identifying the effect that upstream activities have to downstream communities. Then, the analysis is extended by describing each of the nexus elements separately providing greater detail as needed to describe the complex interlinkages of the biophysical and socio-economic system.

These conceptual maps will be the starting point of the complexity science models that will follow in NEXOGENESIS, where data and quantitative modelling will be employed and will be combined with climatic and socio-economic scenarios and policies to assist the case studies in preparing a sustainable river contract that will optimize river use (Deliverable 3.4). Contribution to EU policies: Although this Deliverable is not the final version of the complexity science modelling work in NEXOGENESIS, it is important to point out that the conceptual models show the main interlinkages among the WEFE nexus components, especially since they have been drawn through the stakeholders. They show, particularly in the transboundary CS, what the stakeholders think as relevant and important in these domains. As such, they may play a role in influencing national policies, but also for EU policy recommendations that enhance the cooperation between neighbouring countries inthe development and implementation of environmental strategies.

Related Deliverables:• Deliverable D3.4 (Due in M23) - Complexity science models implemented for all theCase Studies - Prototypes and explanatory report/manual for each CS