Spatial visualizations of the FWE nexus
At the center of Nexus approach are physical connections between Water, Food and Energy systems as well as the interactions among the stakeholders who represent them. Our project explores these connections on multiple levels. We study geography and governance of each system and work with local partners and communities to identify a potential for implementing Food-Water-Energy nexus at a local level.
To make the FWE Nexus concept more visible, we have developed StoryMaps. Using ArcGIS StoryMaps, we have combined web maps with narrative text, images, and multimedia content to create compelling, user-friendly forms of communicating the FWE Nexus to the public.
Each Story Map developed for Creating Interfaces cities provides an in-depth exploration of the local natural and built environment, urban development, socioeconomic characteristics, and the local governance structures. To provide a foundation for the local FWE Nexus case studies, we detail different elements of the Water, Food, and Energy systems, focusing on the production, consumption, and distribution. Where possible, the StoryMaps reply on spatial data and web mapping services from ArcGIS Online for an interactive user experience. The StoryMaps include a basemap for general reference, web maps (created by our team or by connecting to a local municipal or county map service), tables, charts, graphs and photos, as well as text descriptions accompanying web maps and other visualizations. Availability of spatial and non-spatial data varied for each city and depended on local GIS resources, data sharing policies and availability of information through open source platforms.
