Diversification of rural livelihood strategies and its effect on local landscape restoration in the semiarid hilly area of the Loess Plateau,China

This study is about the diversification of livelihood strategies and the interaction of farmers' livelihood with landscape change in Zhongzhuang small watershed, Pengyang County in Ningxia Autonomous region located in the Loess Plateau, western China. Farmers' livelihoods and landscape patterns during 1978–2007 in Zhongzhuang were analysed. In different stages, diverse limiting factors were discovered behind the diversification process of livelihood strategies. Before 1978, ‘planned economy’, ‘production team organization’, strict ‘household registration system’ and the scarcity of livelihood assets were the main factors restricting the diversification of livelihood strategies. From 1978 to 1993, the reform and open policy provided opportunities for local people to diversify their livelihood strategies, but livelihood strategies based on crop production still took an important role in their life. From 2000 to 2007, national policies brought assistance to help local farmers diversify their agricultural activities. However, the insufficient and incomplete credit and insurance market and lack of skill were the main factors constraining non‐farm activity diversification. Meanwhile, through analysis of the links between livelihood strategies diversification and landscape pattern change, we found that diversification of farmers' livelihoods contributed to the recovery of the landscape. Finally, using this relationship, steps for future landscape restoration is proposed, which provide a new view of landscape restoration research in the Loess Plateau. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

沙化土地封禁保护区农牧户的可持续生计资本与生计策略——以甘肃省4个封禁保护区为例

[目的]探讨农牧户生计资本与生计策略之间的关系,并对农牧户生计资本的空间分异和生计策略之间的转化进行分析,为降低农牧户的生计脆弱性,最终实现可持续发展提供理论依据。[方法]从可持续生计分析理论框架出发,通过入户问卷调查,结合Logistic回归模型和单因素方差分析对甘肃省2017年批准建立的玛曲、民勤、山丹县和凉州区国家级沙化土地封禁保护区农牧户的生计资本和生计策略转变的关键因素进行分析。[结果]沙化土地封禁保护区农牧户生计资本中金融资本最为丰富,自然资本最为缺乏,非农型农牧户拥有的生计资本整体优于纯农型。耕地(草地)面积、耕地(草地)质量以及生产工具显著正向影响纯农型生计策略的选择,家庭劳动力数量、受教育水平以及家庭总收入显著负向影响纯农型生计策略的选择。[结论]应加大封禁保护区的生态环境保护宣传力度,加强农牧户的生态保护意识,加快推进农业机械化发展,鼓励剩余劳动力向非农行业转型,实现生计方式多样化。     

快速城镇化地区农户生计策略与土地利用行为耦合协调度分析

为探讨农户生计策略与土地利用行为之间的相互作用关系,该文以上海市青浦区为例,从人地系统角度出发,将生计策略与土地利用行为分别作为子系统构建耦合协调度模型,分析二者之间的耦合关系和耦合协调关系,并借鉴强化理论探究农户土地利用行为对生计策略的反馈机理。结果表明:1)不同类型农户在生计策略与土地利用行为的耦合关系和耦合协调关系方面存在差异:耦合关系方面,4种类型农户的耦合度集中在0.4~0.5范围内,处于拮抗阶段,其中,专业农业型农户最高,为0.480 7;耦合协调关系方面,专业农业型农户耦合协调度为0.545 9,处于高度耦合协调阶段,其余3种类型农户耦合协调度集中在0.4~0.5范围内,处于中度耦合协调阶段。2)专业农业型和农业兼业型农户的耦合协调度和土地利用效应较高,其保持原有生计策略的户数比例小于50%;非农兼业型和传统农业型农户的耦合协调度和土地利用效应较低,其保持原有生计策略的户数比例大于50%。3)专业农业型的生计策略有助于提高农户生计水平和促进耕地资源的合理利用,对从事农业生产的农户吸引力较大。研究结果可为实现农户生计与土地利用的可持续发展提供重要的理论依据。     

论耕地利用可持续集约化与农户生计转型

借鉴国际可持续集约化思想理念,从思想缘起、概念内涵、目标设定和理论推演等4个方面厘清耕地利用可持续集约化的科学问题;基于农户微观视角,从生计环境、生计资本、生计策略和结果演替等4个方面解构生计转型的客观规律;进而探究耕地利用可持续集约化与农户生计转型之间的互馈关系.研究发现:1)耕地利用可持续集约化具有经营集约化、产出...     

Molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to acid soils: A review

Acid soils are widespread and limit global plant production. Aluminum(Al)/manganese(Mn) toxicity and phosphorus(P) deficiency are the major limiting factors affecting plant growth and productivity on acid soils. Plants, however, have evolved various strategies to adapt to these stresses. These strategies include using both external and internal mechanisms to adapt to Al toxicity, regulating Mn uptake, translocation, and distribution to avoid Mn toxicity, and orchestrating a set of P transport me...     

Farmers do it better: local management of change in southern Burkina Faso

This paper focuses on the province of Sissili in southern Burkina Faso, an area that saw widespread immigration caused by the Sahelian droughts since the 1970s. This immigration caused concern over the economic and environmental sustainability of the province. However, over a period of two years of close contact with farming communities, adaptive and innovative actions were noted as people developed new resource-use patterns to safeguard both environment and livelihood. The study examines various aspects of the production and livelihood system of indigenous and immigrant ethnic groups and shows that: the purpose of the emerging new resource use arrangements is to guarantee subsistence for all; negotiation between ethnic groups and communities is the mechanism that guarantees subsistence; landscapes (lifescapes) are not static and are created through assimilation of information and different farming systems; the objective of local production systems is to maximize livelihood subsistence and to minimise negative environmental impacts which threaten long term sustainability. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Wind erosion: the perspective of grass-roots communities in the Sahel

Under the harsh conditions prevailing in the West African Sahel, farmers must deal with a range of environmental and socio-economic issues that constrain agriculture. Although scientific evidence indicates that wind erosion is potentially a major land degradation process, little is known about the Sahelian farmer's perception of the relative importance of wind erosion as a constraint to agricultural production. A village-level survey was therefore undertaken to assess farmers' views about the relative importance of perceived constraints to agricultural production in 41 villages across Niger. During the interviews, the communities' views were also recorded regarding the causes and consequences of wind erosion as well as known wind erosion control measures. Wind erosion ranked eighth overall and was listed by male farmers among the top 10 constraints in 54 per cent of the villages. It was perceived by male farmers to be a moderate to high constraint in 39 per cent of the villages but was not considered important by female farmers. Wind erosion ranked third among environmental constraints, behind drought and soil fertility. Wind erosion related health problems were generally of more concern than crop damage or loss of topsoil by wind erosion. Deforestation, removal of crop residue and land-clearing practices were identified by farmers as major contributors to soil losses by wind. To address this issue, at least 10 different low-cost technologies are currently being implemented by farmers, including leaving crop residue in the field, mulching and natural regeneration of vegetation. The survey results indicate that farmers are well aware of the overriding importance of their management practices, as opposed to climatic factors, on the current extent of wind erosion. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

耕地流转胁迫下农户生计多元化选择与可持续性水平——基于重庆市合川区188户的调查数据

农户生计资源重组是在耕地流转胁迫下对经济机会的反馈响应。基于重庆市合川区川柠柠檬示范园188户耕地流转农户及其394块流转耕地地块的调查数据,分析了流转农户劳动力特征和流转耕地的数量、质量及耕作半径特征,进而剖析耕地流转后农户多元化生计选择策略,并基于可持续生计框架,从生计资本、生计策略和生计成果3方面构建农户生计可持续性评价指标体系,采用自然资本、物质资本、人力资本、金融资本、社会资本、生计多样化指数、收入多样化指数、非农化水平及家庭纯收入指标,对农户生计可持续性水平进行评价。结果表明：1）耕地流转致使农户自然资本严重减少,家庭生计结构由农业主导型向非农主导型转变,生计种类显著增加,趋于多元化。2）耕地流转后,农户生计资本总指数增加,且农户生计资本属性间及各类型农户间的增长率存在分异。耕地流转导致5大资本失调,生计资本耦合协调度降低。3）不同类型农户生计可持续水平在流转后得到不同程度的提升,提升强度从大到小表现为非农主导型农户>农业主导型农户>非农型农户>纯农型农户。总之,农户在家庭承包耕地流转的内部冲击下,生计资本得以重组,致使农户生计的分化与转型,而多元化生计有助于农户生计的可持续发展。     

退耕还林工程实施前后黄土高原地区粮食生产时空变化

始于1999的退耕还林工程是中国政府针对西部生态脆弱区所实施的重大生态工程。工程的实施对当地粮食生产的影响及由此而产生的政策效果是值得研究的问题。该研究利用1996年、2003年和2007年黄土高原地区分县统计数据,对中国黄土高原生态脆弱区1999年以来所实施的退耕还林工程对粮食生产能力的影响进行了分析。结果显示,从1996年到2003年,研究区粮食播种面积下降剧烈,之后有所回升,到2007年大部分县粮食播种面积下降的势头得以遏制;从1996年到2007年,研究区粮食总产量下降,粮食单产水平提高;研究区粮食单产水平远低于全国平均水平,人均粮食产量略低于全国平均水平,二者都表现出较大的年际波动性。粮食生产水平越低,其年际波动性越大。不稳定的粮食产量会强化农民的垦殖动力,不利于退耕工程实施成果的巩固。应根据各地的条件,有区别有节奏按适度规模循序渐进地推进退耕还林工程的实施,并在政策上对农民的生计进行引导和保障,以巩固退耕工程实施效果。     

Resource flows,crops and soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems in semi‐arid Zimbabwe

Poor soil fertility and erratic rains are major constraints to crop production in semi‐arid environments. In the smallholder farming systems of sub‐Saharan Africa, these constraints are manifested in frequent crop failures and endemic food insecurity. We characterized a semi‐arid smallholder farming system in south‐western Zimbabwe to assess crop production, nutrient use and factors that constrain productivity. The farming system was studied using resource flow mapping, farmer interviews and calculations of crop production over three cropping seasons (2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005) to capture variability between years. Farmers were categorized into three groups: better resourced, medium resourced and poorly resourced. Better resourced farmers produced adequate grain for basic household consumption, except in the drought year (2002/2003). Poorly resourced farmers had large grain deficits, whereas the medium resourced class had smaller deficits. Better resourced and medium resourced farmers produced adequate amounts of staple cereal in two of the seasons, while poorly resourced farmers produced inadequate amounts of food in all three seasons. All farmers produced less than 300 kg/ha of legumes per season. Lack of seed was cited as the main reason for poor legume production. Better resourced farmers used animal manure (2000–5000 kg per season) and some fertilizer on their cereal crops, while the medium resourced group used less manure (1000 kg or less) and no fertilizer. The use of manure varied strongly across the years. Poorly resourced farmers used no nutrient inputs on any of their crops. All groups had negative nitrogen balances during the three cropping seasons, although the values varied strongly between seasons. Investigation of the potential strategies for developing sustainable production systems are required to address the problems of food security in the semi‐arid parts of the country and the region.     

Intraorganizational Communication: A Study of Communication/Interaction Among Core Subprograms of the Enugu State Agricultural Development Program,Enugu State,Nigeria

In recognition of the importance of communication in extension work and agriculture, this study assessed communication methods used among core sub-programs of the Enugu State Agricultural Development Program (ENADEP). Sixty-three staff were randomly selected to participate in the study. Statistical tools such as percentage, mean score, and factor analysis were used in data analysis. Findings show that a downward (top-down) communication flow was most common, with posters and workshops as primary communication tools. Technology review meetings and training were major situations in which communication occurred, while achievement of ENADEP objectives was the most important motive for communication. Communicator knowledge about subject matter was the top-rated factor that enhanced communication; security/credibility- and human/autocracy-related problems were major constraints to effective communication. The study recommends a de-emphasis on top-down communication approaches and encourages use of digital/information communication technology (ICT) tools to minimize the gap between generation and dissemination of information and its application.     

三峡库区生态系统服务对农户生计贡献率测算及影响分析

为了实现农户生计可持续发展,量化生态系统服务对农户生计贡献率,以三峡库区为例,采用当量因子法评估该区域生态系统服务价值;把脆弱性生计资本纳入农户生计资本考察范围,从人力、自然、物质、金融、社会、脆弱性6个方面构建三峡库区农户生计评价体系,测算农户生计资本总量。对二者关系进行多项式线性拟合,剖析了生态系统服务价值的变化对农户生计的影响及农户生计资本量的变化对生态系统服务的影响,再对比分析国内外有关生态系统服务对农户生计影响结果研究。结果表明：(1)三峡库区2019年生态系统服务总价值为2 093.65亿元,其中调节服务提供的经济价值最高,文化服务价值最低,且各区县中巴东县生态系统服务价值最高;(2)三峡库区农户生计资本总量为13.117,其中农户金融资本量最多,自然资本量最少,且江津区的农户生计资本总量最多;(3)三峡库区农户资本与生态系统服务具有显著相关性,随着生态系统提供的经济价值越高,农户人力资本、自然资本和金融资本呈现先上升再下降的变化趋势,农户社会资本具有先下降后上升的变化趋势。不断引领农户关注和参与库区生态建设,实行农业生态循环发展,有助于提高三峡库区生态系统服务对农户生计贡...     

Land rights regimes in southwest Nigeria: implications for land access and livelihoods security of settled Fulani agropastoralists

The need of Fulanis for secured access to land is a long time policy challenge in Nigeria but progress in achieving this is far from being made. Meanwhile, access to land, of Fulanis that are settled among the Yorubas in southwest Nigeria, is dependent on land rights regimes operating in Yoruba communities. The study examines the nature of land rights in southwest Nigeria and how these provide access to Fulanis for their livelihoods activities. The study hypothesised that land access and land rights relate significantly to livelihood security of the Fulanis. The study was conducted in three States, namely, Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti States. Two major settlements of the Fulanis were selected from each of the States and 20 Fulani households were sampled purposively from each settlement. Forty‐two Yoruba farmers were also interviewed to understand the land rights regimes operating in their communities. Non‐parametric Chi‐square analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that communal land right regime operates in most communities in the region and designates use rights to Fulanis. Fulanis in Oyo State had management rights which gave them secured access to land in their host communities than their counterparts in other States. The hypotheses tested show significant relationship between land rights and livelihood security of the Fulanis (α < 0·05). The rehabilitation of existing grazing reserves in the region is therefore recommended to grant the Fulanis ownership rights and secured access to land for the security of their livelihoods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Accurate assessment of the bioactivities of redox-active polyphenolics in cell culture

Phenolic compounds are widely known for their roles as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, as well as for their epidemiological association with reduced risks for certain types of diseases. In the present study, we used rabbit peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to evaluate possible artifacts that result from the reactivity of polyphenolics. We evaluated several common methods for cytotoxicity tests using nine polyphenolics, representing several major classes of tannins and their subunits. For three of those phenolics, we investigated whether or not the bioactivities of the phenolics were altered by spontaneous oxidation. Our study showed that many of the nine tested tannins interfered with the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, which is commonly used to measure cell viability. A better method for determining cell viability is the luciferin/luciferase ATP assay, and using that method, we found that several tannins are toxic to PBMCs. We measured TNF-alpha production to assess possible anti-inflammatory activity, and found that only apigenin inhibited TNF-alpha production in LPS-stimulated cells (EC 50 1.0 microg/mL). The other polyphenolic compounds we tested either had no effect on TNF-alpha or increased its production. However, our data indicated that spontaneous oxidation altered the activity of phenolics, eliminating their toxicity. This study shows that the chemical reactivity of phenolics can significantly affect attempts to evaluate bioactivity in cultured cells and that particular attention should be paid to both methods for determining toxicity and to spontaneous oxidation of tannins during cell testing.     

英国赠款小流域治理管理项目示范流域农户可持续生计调查分析

以英国赠款小流域治理管理项目四条示范流域农户调查为基础,从可持续生计角度,对农户的贫困状况进行分析,指出项目区以简单的农耕生产和外出务工为主的生计模式抵御自然风险和社会风险的能力较差,可持续性低,今后的生态和扶贫项目应以综合改善农户生计为主,增强项目对贫困的持续性。     

土地流转农户生计转型中生计资本整合特征及效益

为了揭示土地流转下异质性农户的生计资本整合特征,该文基于267户流转农户调查数据,将农户划分为稳定型纯农户、非农化纯农户、稳定型兼业户、非农化兼业户和稳定型弃农户,在此基础上,分析了异质性农户生计资本差异,并采用雷达图、生计资本扰动指数与生计资本增长指数,剖析了异质性农户生计资本整合的方向、强度及效益。结果表明:1)土地流转前,非农化纯农户和非农化兼业户在人力资本、生活资本、金融资本和社会资本上占优势,稳定型纯农户和稳定型兼业户在自然资本和生产资本上占优势;2)土地流转后,非农化纯农户和非农化兼业户侧重整合人力资本、金融资本和社会资本,而稳定型纯农户和稳定型兼业户侧重整合生产资本,稳定型弃农户整合方向不明显。3)生计资本扰动指数非农化纯农户(0.169)非农化兼业户(0.144)稳定型纯农户(0.124)稳定型兼业户(0.105)稳定型弃农户(0.098),生计资本整合强度非农化农户高于稳定型农户;4)生计资本增长指数非农化兼业户(0.135)非农化纯农户(0.120)稳定型兼业户(0.094)稳定型弃农户(0.093)稳定型纯农户(0.088),生计资本整合效益非农化农户亦显著优于稳定型农户。研究结果将有助于加深对农户生计资本整合与土地流转互动机制的认识,以期为促进土地顺畅流转实现"失地/得地"农户的生计可持续化政策制定提供参考。     

农业产业结构模型

本文采用系统科学的原理和方法,研究县级农业产业系统的范畴、目标、功能和结构,并通过“农业产业结构图式模型”反映系统内诸元素之间的关系及系统与环境之间的关系。应用线性规划方法,以人均纯收入最大为目标函数,以社会对系统的要求、自然资源对系统的限制及系统内诸元素之间的相互制约作为主要约束,建立县级农业产业结构数学模型。应用电子计算技术,进行灵敏度分析,分析某些关键条件变化时,农业产业结构的方案及其变化趋势,从中选出可实施的优化方案。     

Survey of Underutilized Grain Legume Production Systems in the Southwest Agricultural Zone of Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A socio-economic survey of production systems was carried out in four out of the eight states that make up the southwest agricultural zone of Nigeria. A total of 157 minor grain legume farmers selected by multi-stage sampling were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The study shows that lima bean, pigeon pea, African yam bean, and bambara groundnut are the prominent minor grain legumes grown on less than 10% of the total cultivated land area. The minor grain legumes are grown on an average land size ranging from 0.2 to 0.4ha and predominantly in mixture with crops like cassava, maize, yam, sorghum, cocoyam, etc. The use of modern inputs like herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and improved varieties is uncommon in minor legume production systems. The cultivation of these legumes is more popular among the older members of the farming communities, about 78% of which are above 40 years of age. The average yield of the legumes on farms is considerably low, estimated at 271kg/ha, 265kg/ha, 174kg/ha, and 275kg/ha for lima bean, pigeon pea, African yambean, and bambara groundnut, respectively. Major constraints identified by the farmers include low market demand, inadequate seed supply, high cost of labour, and low yield. Research work is therefore needed in agronomy and breeding for improved yield and utilization for expanded market and, consequently, increased production.     

尼泊尔中部山区Melamchi流域农户类型及其土地利用方式

农户生计策略变化为土地利用变化提供了新的研究视角。基于问卷调查、半结构访谈、数理统计等方法,对尼泊尔中部山区Melamchi流域4个典型村进行了系统调查,分析了不同类型农户的生计策略及土地利用特征。结果表明:农为主和非农为主型农户生计策略组合较优,生计多样性指数相对较高,生计风险相对较小。不同类型农户在耕作面积、土地利用结构、劳动力投入、土地增产性投入等方面均表现出不同特征。不同类型农户对改善生计的认识及策略不同,其对土地的作用及影响也有所差异。非农生计活动不仅降低了生计脆弱性和生计风险,同时也降低了农户对土地的依赖程度和垦殖率,促进了土地所有权改变和土地再分配,提高了农业生产率,但也增加了土地质量退化和环境污染的风险。针对尼泊尔山区资源环境特点及影响农户生计改善的不利因素,从农户和区域层次分别提出农户生计优化及土地可持续利用的建议。