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Rural household livelihood change, fuelwood substitution, and hilly ecosystem restoration: Evidence from China

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  • Wang, Chengchao
  • Yang, Yusheng
  • Zhang, Yaoqi

Abstract

This paper systematically analyzes the driving forces and mechanism of fuelwood substitution and related ecological consequences in an under-developed county in rural Southeast China. Based on 358 respondents from rural households in Changting County, as well as additional statistical data, we present strong evidence in support of the argument that changes in the livelihoods of rural households lead to fuelwood substitution and finally, hilly ecosystem restoration. Important factors influencing fuelwood substitution are closely linked with changes in rural livelihoods: off-farm employment and agricultural specialization. Therefore, these changes are argued to be the primary driving force of fuelwood substitution. Reasons include the increasing opportunity costs of fuelwood collection, increases in household income, and decreases in household energy consumption for cooking, feeding and heating. Such changes have unexpectedly caused significant progress in hilly ecosystem restoration, particularly in mitigation of soil erosion and forest degradation. Thus, it is suggested that the progressive change and improvement in the livelihoods of rural households should be included in the mix of policies intended to restore hilly ecosystems.

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  • Wang, Chengchao & Yang, Yusheng & Zhang, Yaoqi, 2012. "Rural household livelihood change, fuelwood substitution, and hilly ecosystem restoration: Evidence from China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 2475-2482.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:16:y:2012:i:5:p:2475-2482
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2012.01.070
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    3. Suich, Helen & Howe, Caroline & Mace, Georgina, 2015. "Ecosystem services and poverty alleviation: A review of the empirical links," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 12(C), pages 137-147.
    4. Sheng, Jichuan & Qiu, Hong & Zhang, Sanfeng, 2019. "Opportunity cost, income structure, and energy structure for landholders participating in payments for ecosystem services: Evidence from Wolong National Nature Reserve, China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 230-238.
    5. Lee, Soo Min & Kim, Yeon-Su & Jaung, Wanggi & Latifah, Sitti & Afifi, Mansur & Fisher, Larry A., 2015. "Forests, fuelwood and livelihoods—energy transition patterns in eastern Indonesia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 61-70.
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    10. Ma, Xiaowei & Li, Chuandong & Kang, Qi & Chen, Danni & Sun, Qingyu, 2024. "Rural household nonagricultural income and energy transition: Evidence from central China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
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    12. Arabatzis, Garyfallos & Malesios, Chrisovalantis, 2013. "Pro-environmental attitudes of users and non-users of fuelwood in a rural area of Greece," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 621-630.
    13. Wenjia Peng & Brian E. Robinson & Hua Zheng & Cong Li & Fengchun Wang & Ruonan Li, 2019. "Telecoupled Sustainable Livelihoods in an Era of Rural–Urban Dynamics: The Case of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, May.
    14. Malla, Sunil & Timilsina, Govinda R, 2014. "Household cooking fuel choice and adoption of improved cookstoves in developing countries : a review," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6903, The World Bank.
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