Titled “Integrated Systems Analysis of Ecosystems: The Land, Water, Food, and Climate Nexus”, the publication brings together expertise from IIASA and leading Chinese researchers to address the interconnected challenges of ecosystem sustainability, food security, and climate resilience.
Co-edited by Gang Wang and Renkuan Liao of China Agricultural University (CAU), IIASA Guest Senior Researcher Gui-Ying Cao, and IIASA Emeritus Research Scholar Tatiana Ermolieva, the newly published Elsevier monograph is the result of years of scientific collaboration between IIASA and its Chinese partners. The publication reflects the strength of this long-standing partnership and the major contributions of the Chinese collaborators who helped bring the project to fruition.
The volume explores the interface between soil science, hydrology, ecology, agronomy, economics, and environmental sciences. By integrating knowledge across disciplines, it examines the complex interactions between land, water, food, energy, and climate systems while presenting advances in cutting-edge ecological and agroecological models. These include biophysical process-based models and integrated land-use models that can support policy development at national and regional scales.
"This monograph demonstrates the value of integrated systems analysis in addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental and agricultural challenges," says Ermolieva. "By bringing together expertise from different scientific disciplines and countries, we provide new tools and perspectives that can help inform more sustainable land, water, food, and climate policies."
The publication comes at a time of growing scientific engagement between IIASA and China. Last month, IIASA welcomed a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MoST), together with representatives of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Austria, to Schloss Laxenburg for discussions on scientific cooperation, science diplomacy, and future collaboration.
"This book is a testament to the long-standing partnership between IIASA and China's scientific community," Ermolieva added. "It shows what can be achieved when researchers combine complementary expertise to address global challenges, and we look forward to building on this collaboration in the years ahead."
Reference: Wang, G., Ermolieva, T., Cao, G., Liao, R. (2026) Integrated Systems Analysis of Ecosystems: The Land, Water, Food, and Climate Nexus Elsevier
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