Examining the impact of farmers' individual and social characteristics on enhancing adaptive capacity to water and energy crises

ABSTRACT Water and energy stakeholder networks play a pivotal role in managing complex socio-environmental systems. Understanding how different groups contribute to decision-making is critical for developing coherent policies. This study examines how farmers in six villages of the Doroud-Boroujerd Basin, Lorestan Province, Iran, adapt to water scarcity and energy insecurity. Using the Integrated Social Network and Structural Adaptation Framework (ISNSAF), it explores how individual and social capital - particularly networking ties, social support, and leadership - enhance farmers' capacity to cope with environmental stress. The ISNSAF combines Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess the influence of network structures and social interactions on resilience and resource management behaviors. Findings show that key network metrics, such as centrality and density, positively affect adaptive capacity by facilitating information exchange, trust, and cooperation. Policy recommendations include multi-level governance, local capacity-building, and the creation of web-based energy cooperatives to support renewable energy and community autonomy. This research highlights the importance of social networks and participatory governance in building resilience, offering a scalable approach for sustainable resource management. The results are especially valuable for policymakers aiming to promote environmental protection and economic stability in vulnerable agricultural regions.