WEF Nexus Indicators for Livestock Systems: A Comparative Analysis in Southern Brazil

João G. A. Viana (), Fernanda N. da Silva, Carine Dalla Valle, Claudio M. Ribeiro, Claudia A. P. de Barros, Jean Minella, Claudia G. Ribeiro, Conrado F. Santos and Vicente C. P. Silveira
Additional contact information
João G. A. Viana: Department of Agricultural Education and Rural Extension, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
Fernanda N. da Silva: Department of Agricultural Education and Rural Extension, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
Carine Dalla Valle: Business School, Campus Pantanal, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Avenida Rio Branco, 1.270, Bairro Universitário, Corumbá 79303-220, MS, Brazil
Claudio M. Ribeiro: Animal Science, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), R. Vinte e Um de Abril, 80, Dom Pedrito 96450-000, RS, Brazil
Claudia A. P. de Barros: Department of Soils, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 7712, Agronomia, Porto Alegre 91540-000, RS, Brazil
Jean Minella: Department of Soils, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
Claudia G. Ribeiro: Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), R. Maria Zélia Carneiro de Figueiredo, 870-A, Bairro Igara III, Canoas 92412-240, RS, Brazil
Conrado F. Santos: School of Renewable Energy Engineering, Campus Durazno, Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC), Durazno 97000, Uruguay
Vicente C. P. Silveira: Department of Agricultural Education and Rural Extension, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: Integrated approaches such as the WEF nexus (water–energy–food) have been key to measuring the efficiency of production systems. In southern Brazil, where extensive livestock farming and integrated agricultural systems coexist in anthropized natural grasslands, such an assessment is crucial for balancing production and conservation. This research aimed to assess the sustainability of different livestock systems in Brazil’s Pampa biome from the perspective of the WEF nexus. One hundred and twenty-one systems were analyzed and divided into extensive livestock systems (ELSs) and integrated livestock systems (ILSs). The MESMIS methodology was used to construct and measure 37 WEF nexus indicators. The data were analyzed using a raincloud diagram and compared using Student’s t -test. In terms of water, the results showed that the ELS was more sustainable in terms of the scope of production. In terms of energy, the ELS stood out in the scope of the sustainability of mechanical energy use. The ILS was superior in terms of social and associative participation in the food nexus, while the ELS stood out in terms of sustainable production management. In general, in both systems, the sustainability indices for the water nexus were optimal, but the situation was alarming for the energy and food nexus. This research contributes by applying the WEF nexus to the analysis of the sustainability of livestock systems, offering a replicable model for other natural grassland regions.

Keywords: sustainable animal production; WEF nexus; Pampa biome; sustainability indicators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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