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

Sustainability

Franz K. Huber¹  Michael Morlok²  Caroline S. Weckerle³  Klaus Seeland¹ 

[1] ETH Zürich, Institute for Environmental Decisions—Group Society, Environment and Culture, Sonneggstrasse 33, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland; E-Mail:;B,S,S. Volkswirtschaftliche Beratung, Steinenberg 5, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; E-Mail:;Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland; E-Mail:

关键词: education;    ethnic minorities;    migrant labor;    natural resources;    village networks;    Yunnan;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su7033204

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.