The social–ecological system framework for farming adaptation: the influence of social capital on eco-practices

Climate change has intensified the urgency of ecological transitions, particularly within small-scale farming systems, which are vital for food supply but highly vulnerable to environmental pressures. This study applies the Social-Ecological System framework to examine how different forms of social capital (bonding, bridging, and linking) shape ecological practices and identifies climate change as a collective action issue. Using survey data from Sardinian sheep farmers, a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) disentangles the effects of social capital on the adoption of ecological innovations. Results show that bonding social capital reinforces traditional ecological practices, while trust in agricultural institutions ( agro-linking ) is the most consistent predictor of adoption across both traditional and innovative pathways. In contrast, bridging and institutional linking show no statistically significant effect in this context. Productivity expectations and eco-technical knowledge further mediate adoption, highlighting both economic and cognitive drivers of the adoption process. The findings provide empirical evidence of the multidimensional effects of social capital on distinct ecological pathways, offering policy-relevant insights. Sustaining traditional practices requires leveraging local networks and community knowledge, whereas innovation-oriented policies should focus on building institutional trust, technical knowledge, and closer farmer–institution linkages.