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

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