Contribution of Natural and Economic Capital to Subjective Well-Being: Empirical Evidence from a Small-Scale Society in Kodagu (Karnataka), India

Francisco Zorondo-Rodríguez (), Mar Grau-Satorras, Jenu Kalla, Katie Demps, Erik Gómez-Baggethun, Claude García and Victoria Reyes-García
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Francisco Zorondo-Rodríguez: Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile
Mar Grau-Satorras: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Jenu Kalla: French Institute of Pondicherry
Katie Demps: Boise State University
Erik Gómez-Baggethun: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Claude García: CIRAD
Victoria Reyes-García: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, 2016, vol. 127, issue 2, No 23, 919-937

Abstract: Abstract Subjective well-being is determined by several types of sources of satisfaction, defined as forms of capitals. Most of research has been focused on the links between economic capital and well-being, neglecting the contribution of other forms of capital as source of satisfaction. Here, we bring natural capital into the equation and explore the relations between economic and natural capital and subjective well-being. We approach well-being as a multidimensional concept and then focus on three of its dimensions: subsistence, security, and reproduction and care. Working with tribal communities from Kodagu (Karnataka, India), we found positive associations between economic and natural capital and subjective well-being. Nevertheless, the two types of capitals differed on their relative contribution to (a) overall subjective well-being and (b) the three selected dimensions. Natural capital can be more important than economic capital in fulfilling human well-being. Findings support ongoing calls for explicitly incorporating ecological assets and ecosystem services in the design of policies oriented to measure and improve well-being.

Keywords: Ecosystem services; Life satisfaction; Dimensions of human well-being; Human scale development; Western Ghats (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11205-015-0975-9

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