Identifying Nature–Community Nexuses for Sustainably Managing Social and Ecological Systems: A Case Study of the Qianjiangyuan National Park Pilot Area

Yu Wei, Siyuan He, Gang Li, Xutu Chen, Linlu Shi, Guangchun Lei and Yang Su
Additional contact information
Yu Wei: School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Siyuan He: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road A11, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
Gang Li: School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Xutu Chen: Planning and Design Institute of Forest Products Industry, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chaonei Road 130, DongChen district, Beijing 100002, China
Linlu Shi: State Research Information Technology Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Urban Operation, Development Research Center of the State Council, ChaoYangMenNei Street 296, DongCheng District, Beijing 100002, China
Guangchun Lei: School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Yang Su: Management World Press Affiliated to the Development Research Center of the State Council, East Section, 4th Floor, Building 1, Courtyard No. 2, Jintaili, Hongmiao, Chaoyangmenwai, Beijing 100026, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: Designing policies for the sustainable development of social-ecological systems with complex human–land relations requires integrated management and nexus thinking; China’s national parks are typical social-ecological systems. Ecosystem services and community livelihood are two essential components of sustainable management in the nature–community nexus (NCN). This study focuses on the Qianjiangyuan National Park Pilot Area in eastern China. Following a systems approach and integrating qualitative (causal analysis and systems but dynamic methods) and quantitative (InVEST model, Spearman’s correlation analysis, regression analysis, and multiple correspondence analysis) methods, we developed two causal mechanisms linking livelihood assets and ecosystem services, and verified them by exploring multi-dimensional linkages and revealing two types of NCNs. Results showed that the proportions of cropland and orchard areas have significant negative correlations with water and soil retention services, respectively, while forests significantly benefit both services. A positive NCN exists in areas where water and soil retention services perform well and the local community develops vibrantly with a considerable proportion of young, highly educated, or high-income (especially the income from secondary industries) residents. A negative NCN is seen in areas where the water and soil retention services values are low; a great many households do not have substantial income from secondary and tertiary industries, and few households have vast forest areas. These results can be used as scientific evidence for optimizing institutional arrangements and contributing to sustainable and harmonious development of national parks in China.

Keywords: social-ecological system; national park; nature-community nexus; system analysis; causal mechanism; ecosystem service; community livelihood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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