Impact of Nature Reserves on the Rural Household's Livelihood Vulnerability In Surrounding Communities: 17 Giant Panda Nature Reserves in China As Examples

Abstract

Accurately assessing the impact of the establishment of nature reserves (NRs) on rural households' livelihood vulnerability is of great practical significance for improving their livelihoods in NRs and realizing the coordinated development of conservation and economy. This study examines the effects of nature reserves establishment on the livelihood vulnerability of 380 rural households across 17 giant panda reserves in Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, utilizing 2-year panel data. Employing the propensity score matching method and panel seemingly unrelated regression model, the research reveals several key findings. First, the establishment of NRs will aggravate rural households’ livelihood risk, weaken rural households’ adaptability, and hence increase rural households' livelihood vulnerability. Second, rural households living in provincial NRs and those within Shaanxi province face greater livelihood vulnerability, especially if the NR is located in the city with lower GDP. Third, community development projects in NRs contribute to reducing rural households’ livelihood vulnerability, among which ecotourism and skills training play a more significant role. According to the above conclusions, establishing robust ecological compensation mechanisms can help to give full play to the geographical advantages of NRs, while the development of eco-agriculture and eco-tourism helps to promote the diversification of rural households’ livelihoods, thereby improving their adaptive capacity and reducing their livelihood vulnerability.