Causal Loop Diagrams

Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) are visual tools used to illustrate how different factors in a system influence one another over time. In these diagrams, variables are connected by arrows that indicate the direction of influence—whether one variable increases or decreases another. Positive loops show that an increase in one factor leads to increases in others, while negative loops indicate a balancing effect. CLDs help people understand complex relationships in various fields, such as ecology, economics, and social systems, making it easier to analyze and address challenges by revealing feedback patterns and interactions.