Mountain Ecosystem Services as a Framework for Water-Energy-Food Nexus Management: Insights from the Orco Valley, Piedmont

Mountain ecosystems play an essential role in human well-being, providing resources, regulating and maintaining environmental processes, as well as offering cultural and recreational benefits. Different studies have assessed Mountain Ecosystem Services (MESs) through both qualitative and quantitative methods. However, significant gaps remain, particularly in understanding the trade-offs and synergies among MESs and their influence on the demand and supply dynamics of water, energy, and food (WEF) resources.

This study focuses on the ecosystem services of the Orco Valley in Piedmont, Italy, combining biophysical, economic, and sociocultural dimensions. The primary MESs provided by the watershed were classified following the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) framework. Their quantification was achieved through a combination of regional datasets and modeling with the INVEST tool, where applicable. These MESs were subsequently assigned an economic value using the Total Economic Value (TEV) framework. Spatial representation and analysis were conducted using GIS, while statistical methods were employed to explore the interconnections and interactions among the various services

Our findings underscore the potential of MESs as a framework to quantify WEF interconnections and resource dynamics in mountain watersheds. Scenario analyses reveal strategies to maximize synergies and minimize trade-offs among WEF resources, with economic feasibility assessments providing actionable guidance. For instance, while hydropower production supports energy supply, it often reduces in-stream water availability, impacting biodiversity and ecological balance. Similarly, water releases optimized for energy generation can conflict with downstream agricultural demands.

By analyzing the impacts of anthropogenic factors on MESs, the study aims to provide practical insights for policy and decision-making, focusing on how MESs can contribute to addressing the intricate linkages within WEF systems and advancing sustainable management of mountain watershed resources.