Research Article // Navigating the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus in the Mediterranean: Archetypes and Complexities
This study demonstrates how systems thinking tools, combined with participatory stakeholder engagement, can uncover recurrent archetypes within the Mediterranean WEFE Nexus and identify leverage points that enable context-sensitive, systemic interventions for more resilient resource governance.
Introduction
The Mediterranean region is grappling with escalating socio-environmental challenges driven by climate change, resource overexploitation, and fragmented sectoral governance in the Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems (WEFE nexus). This study uses Systems Thinking to explore the intricate interdependencies within the WEFE Nexus in three case studies: Portugal, Italy, and Lebanon. Participatory workshops enabled stakeholders to collaboratively develop Causal Loop Diagrams, which were subsequently analysed using system archetypes and leverage points to identify recurring feedback structures and transformative intervention strategies. Archetypes provided a means to distil complex dynamics into recognizable behavioural patterns, revealing systemic failures such as “Fixes that Fail” or “Shifting the Burden”. These were linked to leverage points across four domains: system variables, feedback loops, design structures, and underlying intent. Additionally, the iceberg model was employed to uncover deep-rooted paradigms and mental models shaping decision-making processes. The findings underscore the value of participatory system mapping and archetypal analysis in fostering more resilient and context-sensitive policy responses. By bridging theoretical frameworks with practical governance, this integrative approach supports the co-creation of targeted solutions that address both visible symptoms and structural root causes of identified challenges within the WEFE Nexus.
Published
25 August 2025