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Understanding Sustainable Livelihoods with a Framework Linking Livelihood Vulnerability and Resilience in the Semiarid Loess Plateau of China

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  • Wenli Ye

    (Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
    College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

  • Yin Wang

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

  • Xinjun Yang

    (Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
    College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

  • Kongsen Wu

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

Abstract

Regional climate is complicated and unpredictable in the context of global climate change. Farmers on the Loess Plateau, who rely on agriculture and natural resources for subsistence, are one of the groups feeling the early effects of climate change. Their vulnerability is determined by their degree of connection with the natural environment. Frequent droughts on the Loess Plateau have severely challenged farmers’ livelihoods, although some actions have been taken to adapt to these changes. To enable farmers to find sustainable livelihood strategies in challenging natural conditions, we established a research framework to link livelihood vulnerability and resilience and applied it to Jiaxian County, a specific research area in the Loess Plateau of China. To validate previous research, we studied the fluctuation trends of farmers’ livelihood vulnerability and livelihood resilience in the past 30 years and the interrelationships between these two trends and their influencing factors. The results are as follows: since 1990, livelihood vulnerability has been polarized; however, moderate vulnerability has always been dominant. Livelihood resilience shows a trend of continuous enhancement. The relationship between livelihood vulnerability and resilience is complex, and the direction of change between the two can be both similar and different. The topography, arable land conditions, soil quality, and irrigation conditions in different areas impact vulnerability and resilience, and the degree of impact is different in different periods. Farmers’ livelihood strategies depend on their cognitive decision making and livelihood assets, which are critical vulnerability and resilience factors. Most farmers in the study area have undergone significant livelihood strategy changes, while some maintain their original livelihood strategies. These findings provide policy implications for reducing vulnerability, enhancing resilience, and helping smallholder farmers find sustainable livelihood strategies to avoid poverty traps.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenli Ye & Yin Wang & Xinjun Yang & Kongsen Wu, 2022. "Understanding Sustainable Livelihoods with a Framework Linking Livelihood Vulnerability and Resilience in the Semiarid Loess Plateau of China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:9:p:1500-:d:908812
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yin Wang & Dian Min & Wenli Ye & Kongsen Wu & Xinjun Yang, 2023. "The Impact of Rural Location on Farmers’ Livelihood in the Loess Plateau: Local, Urban–Rural, and Interconnected Multi-Spatial Perspective Research," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Qingqing Yang & Yanhui Gao & Xiaoshu Cao & Jie Yang, 2023. "Contributions and Resistances to Vulnerability of Rural Human Settlements System in Agricultural Areas of Chinese Loess Plateau since 1980," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-31, July.
    3. Yilun He & Shaowen Zhan & Noshaba Aziz, 2023. "Quantifying the Contribution of Rural Residents’ Participation in the Cultural Tourism Industry to Improve the Soil Erosion Control Effect in Ecologically Fragile Areas: A Case Study in the Shaanxi–Ga," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, March.
    4. He Li & Yefei Liu & Rong Zhao & Xiaofang Zhang & Zhaonian Zhang, 2022. "How Did the Risk of Poverty-Stricken Population Return to Poverty in the Karst Ecologically Fragile Areas Come into Being?—Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-20, September.

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