ABSTRACT
This chapter explores options and challenges to modeling the transformation of the water, energy, and food production (WEF) nexus, which requires the representation of both the biophysical and social systems. It proposes that modeling the nexus and its transformation requires an understanding of the impact of current and future land management on natural ecosystems; and the socio-economic context and distribution of benefits gained from natural capital. The chapter illustrates these points with two examples of recent socio-ecological assessments: one focusing on integrated watershed management for food and energy production, the other assessing strategies for sustainable commodity sourcing. It focuses on the framework of ecosystem services, which has been successfully applied to shape decisions in the realm. The chapter shows that other environmental and social assessment frameworks may equally be used as a tool to understand the WEF nexus transformation.
