Tendencies of Residents in Sanjiangyuan National Park to the Optimization of Livelihoods and Conservation of the Natural Reserves

Ting Ma, Kun Xu, Yiming Xing, Hang Shu and Weiguo Sang
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Ting Ma: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, No. 27 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing 100081, China
Kun Xu: Department of Renewable Resources, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada
Yiming Xing: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, No. 27 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing 100081, China
Hang Shu: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, No. 27 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing 100081, China
Weiguo Sang: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, No. 27 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing 100081, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: Current research on residents’ ecological protection behaviors commonly adopts the socio-economic approach at the individual level. Yet, such an approach might ignore the impacts of potential psychological factors on resident behaviors, such as on farmers’ willingness and perception to conservation (collectively defined as residents’ tendencies in this study). This research analyzed the factors influencing residents’ preferences for conservation and livelihood trade-off at the community level in Sanjiangyuan National Park, China. We conclude: First, the factors associated with government funding lead to residents’ inclination to trust local government. Subsequently, abundant wealth contributes to the open-mindedness of residents to accept that “changes” are worthy. Second, despite the limited level of education, the fact that residents do not consider terms and conditions of regulations does not hinder recent social and ecological transformation. Third, residents’ comparative support for policies and regulations are commonly related to their interests in livelihood and ecological protection, but the support levels differ among different counties due to geographical and social heterogeneities. Collectively, policymakers should realize the importance of residents’ tendencies as well as their confidence in local government when planning to optimize social ecological transformation policies with a balance between the compensations given and benefits received.

Keywords: optimization of livelihoods and conservation of natural reserve; residents; Sanjiangyuan National Park; tendencies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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