Evaluation and Strategic Response of Sustainable Livelihood Level of Farmers in Ecological Resettlement Area of the Upper Yellow River—A Case Study of Liujiaxia Reservoir Area, Gansu Province

Abstract

The level of sustainable livelihoods, as a yardstick for measuring the social development of migrants, is of great importance to the sustainable development of the region. Based on the analysis of the policy logic of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin, this paper constructs a “ternary” system model and evaluation index system for sustainable livelihoods of farm households in the ecological resettlement areas of the upper Yellow River, and proposes that the harmonious relationship between the three basic dimensions of economy, society and environment is the key to evaluate the sustainable livelihood level of farm households in ecological resettlement areas. Based on the comprehensive evaluation index to assess the comprehensive development level of ecological resettlement areas, we introduced the coupling coordination degree and constructed the coordinated development degree model of “economic-social-environmental” system to characterize the sustainable livelihood level. Through the data of 1116 questionnaires and in-depth interviews in the ecological migrant resettlement area of Liujiaxia reservoir in the upper reaches of the Yellow River basin, the sustainable livelihood status and spatial distribution differences of farm households in 14 townships in the region were evaluated, and the validity of the indicator system was empirically tested. Finally, sustainable livelihood strategies for farm households in the ecological resettlement areas of the upper Yellow River are proposed for the economic, social and environmental dimensions, and the indicator system is further revised. The evaluation system can not only advance the research paradigm of sustainable livelihood assessment for farmers in ecological migrant resettlement areas but can also be widely guided and applied to the sustainable development of ecological migrant practices in China.

‘Typical container’ of Chinese civilisation: ‘Yellow-Canal-Yangtze’ watershed community

“…On the one hand, the existing social networks and economic activities of residents may be affected, and residents need to develop sustainable livelihoods in the new environment. 25 On the other hand, the redistribution of water resources must also take into account the impact on the ecological environment and sustainable risk management, 26 as well as coordinating the protection of cultural heritage sites during the relocation and reconstruction process.…”

“…24 The redistribution of water resources results in relocation and adaptation of settlements. 25 For example, the hydroelectric projects have become a new tourist attraction, bringing tourists and investment, providing new opportunities and conditions for the development of settlements.…”

Implementation Framework for Transformation of Peat Ecosystems to Support Food Security

“…Increasing resource-use intensity, the diversity and complexity of small-farming livelihood systems, and small-scale economic synergy makes it possible to multiply livelihoods [58]. The evaluation of farm households' level of sustainable livelihood in ecological resettlement zones must take into account both society and the environment [59]. It is further argued that the relationship between human and nonhuman aspects defines ecological livelihood [60].…”

“…An integrated development involves adopting a sustainable livelihood approach [59,61]. Several sustainability schemes are related to the relationship between ecological, social, and economic dimensions.…”