De Torre Ceijas, Rocío

This study characterizes over 30 cases of small-scale agricultural and livestock systems across four continents (Africa, America, Asia, and Europe) using the Coupled Infrastructure Systems (CIS) framework. The analysis identifies system archetypes and explores the socio-ecological variables, both internal and external, that shape these systems. The findings offer insights on the adaptive capacities and transition pathways of these systems in response to global challenges, such as climate change. Internal variables include the type of system (agricultural or livestock-based), resource used (such as irrigation water, pasture, or forest), and the number of users involved in agriculture and livestock. External variables cover factors such as isolation levels, climate conditions, and biome types. Data were gathered through an approximately four-hour online survey, conducted by local researchers familiar with the studied communities. This research is significant as it provides a foundation for developing more effective governance strategies tailored to local realities, with the potential to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural and livestock systems worldwide.