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Rubber Boom, Land Use Change and the Implications for Carbon Balances in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China

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  • Min, Shi
  • Huang, Jikun
  • Waibel, Hermann
  • Yang, Xueqing
  • Cadisch, Georg

Abstract

Rubber farming expansion in Xishuangbanna, in the Upper Mekong region of Southwest China, has resulted in profound land use change and led to the severe degradation of the local environment. This study explores the dynamics of land use change as a result of the rubber boom, examines the factors influencing the heterogeneity in farmers' land allocations for rubber farming, and assesses the implications of this change for the local environment in terms of carbon balances. The analyses use a comprehensive household survey data set of 612 smallholder rubber farmers in Xishuangbanna. The historical data illustrate the trajectory of rubber expansion and land use change over the past three decades. The model of smallholder land allocation for rubber farming suggests its determinants include ethnicity, experience in rubber farming, household wealth, elevation, and several explanatory variables at the village level. A net loss in carbon stocks at the aggregate level was found due to the expansion of rubber plantations. The rubber farming expansion of smallholders outside the natural reserves in Xishuangbanna has led to a carbon loss of approximately 21 Mg/ha/year over the past three decades. The findings complement discussions on the future of the rubber-based land use system and its sustainability in Xishuangbanna and other rubber-growing areas in the Mekong region.

Suggested Citation

  • Min, Shi & Huang, Jikun & Waibel, Hermann & Yang, Xueqing & Cadisch, Georg, 2019. "Rubber Boom, Land Use Change and the Implications for Carbon Balances in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 57-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:156:y:2019:i:c:p:57-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.09.009
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    Cited by:

    1. Shi Min & Xiaobing Wang & Shaoze Jin & Hermann Waibel & Jikun Huang, 2020. "Climate change and farmers’ perceptions: impact on rubber farming in the upper Mekong region," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 451-480, November.
    2. Kaiwen Su & Jie Ren & Jie Yang & Yilei Hou & Yali Wen, 2020. "Human-Elephant Conflicts and Villagers’ Attitudes and Knowledge in the Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Li, Ying & Chiu, Yung-ho & Lin, Tai-Yu, 2019. "Coal production efficiency and land destruction in China's coal mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Min, Shi & Wang, Xiaobing & Bai, Junfei & Waibel, Hermann, 2021. "Married to rubber? Evidence from the expansion of natural rubber in Southwest China," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    5. Jue Wang & Haiwei Jiang & Yuan He, 2023. "Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Income-Generating Activities in Rubber Monoculture Dominated Region Based on Sustainable Livelihood Framework," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, January.

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