Security measurement and improvement path of water-energy-food system in the irrigation area of the Lower Yellow River

Improving the security level of the water-energy-food (WEF) composite system is important for ensuring the rational allocation and utilization of resources and sustainable development of the irrigation area in the Lower Yellow River. The security level of the WEF system in the irrigation area of the Lower Yellow River from 2009 to 2023 was measured using five-element connection number, and the configuration path to improve the security level of the composite system was identified through fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results showed that: ①The security level of the food subsystem was the highest, transitioning from level Ⅲ to level Ⅳ, while the safety level of the energy subsystem was the lowest, overall in an unsafe state of level Ⅱ. ②The overall composite system of the irrigation area in the Lower Yellow River is in a critical state of level Ⅳ, and some cities and years are in an unsafe state of level Ⅱ. ③There are a total of five configuration paths that can generate high security levels, each region needs to make measures based on its own development situation in the future. Studying the interactive relationship between various influencing factors from a configuration perspective has to some extent promoted the transformation of security research on composite system from a single contingency perspective to a holistic multi-dimensional perspective. The research conclusion can provide theoretical basis and decision-making reference for the security development of the WEF system in the irrigation area of the Lower Yellow River.