ABSTRACT The degradation of natural resources, driven by rapid urbanization and population growth, presents profound challenges to biodiversity and sustainable development. This study proposes a strategic framework for adaptive governance of natural resources, emphasizing the integration of institutional capacity, leadership, and institutional work. Employing Social Network Analysis (SNA), the research investigates governance structures within Fars Province, Iran. The results showed that the network had moderate density (0.497 on a scale of 0 to 1, where 1 indicates complete connectivity), a clustering coefficient of zero (0.000), indicating no triadic closure, and high external centralization (55.57%, meaning more than half of the network's power is concentrated in external actors). These characteristics reflect weak inter‐organizational coordination, fragile cooperation, and excessive reliance on a few dominant institutions. The average path length of 2.047 steps further indicates slow information flow and limited responsiveness. These structural weaknesses collectively impede effective resource management. The proposed framework advocates for polycentric governance, enhanced institutional connectivity, decentralization of authority, and the incorporation of adaptive governance principles to bolster resilience and responsiveness. By synthesizing theoretical insights with empirical evidence, the study offers actionable strategies to improve natural resource governance, thereby contributing to sustainable environmental management and social equity. This study underscores the necessity of a holistic approach that addresses the complexities of socio‐ecological systems, providing a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers and practitioners.
Islami et al. (Thu,) studied this question.