Livelihood Strategies in Shaxi, Southwest China: Conceptualizing Mountain–Valley Interactions as a Human–Environment System

Franz K. Huber, Michael Morlok, Caroline S. Weckerle and Klaus Seeland
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Franz K. Huber: ETH Zürich, Institute for Environmental Decisions—Group Society, Environment and Culture, Sonneggstrasse 33, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
Michael Morlok: Volkswirtschaftliche Beratung, Steinenberg 5, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
Caroline S. Weckerle: Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland
Klaus Seeland: ETH Zürich, Institute for Environmental Decisions—Group Society, Environment and Culture, Sonneggstrasse 33, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-26

Abstract: This paper investigates the socio-ecological differences and interactions between upland and lowland areas in Shaxi Valley, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. As an analytical tool we used an extended Human–Environment System Framework by focusing particularly on the dynamics and sustainability of livelihood strategies and mountain–valley interactions. Drawing from household surveys conducted in two mountain and two valley communities in 2005 and 2009, we show that the distinct income gap between mountain and valley households in 2005 ceased to exist in 2009. The main drivers for this development are the local tourist industry, persistent demand for forest resources, as well as local off-farm and seasonal migrant employment.

Keywords: education; ethnic minorities; migrant labor; natural resources; village networks; Yunnan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:3:p:3204-3229:d:46908

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