The Role of the Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in the Construction of China’s National Park System and the Optimisation of the Protected Area System

Conservation-compatible development of rural communities is an important part of nature conservation objectives. Understanding the role of agriculture, which is often practiced in or bordering the protected areas in rural China, is critical for managing conservation networks considering that limited spatial areas are available for enclosed protected areas. Important Agricultural Heritage Systems stand out for their multi-functionality, and some of their values are compatible with nature conservation. This paper examined the concept, management objectives and resource management characteristics of the Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS) by analysing their interactions with national parks in terms of community development. The results reveal that management strategies of dynamic conservation, integrated protection and adaptive management of the IAHS can contribute to those national park management objectives concerning conservation-compatible livelihood. However, the typology of the protected area system, including the traditional agricultural system as a new type, needs further consideration.     

Chained to Development? Livelihoods and global value chains in the coffee-producing Toraja region of Indonesia

ABSTRACT

A popular rural development strategy in recent years has been through the adoption of what has been widely called a ‘value chain approach’, where improved linkages between small producers in underdeveloped rural communities and ‘lead firms’ constitute the foundations for development interventions. Whilst the global value-chain framework can deliver insights into the broad structural processes shaping livelihood possibilities, the adoption of value chains as a development strategy tends to disregard the complexity of smallholder livelihoods that shape poverty alleviation pathways in different contexts. The relationships between global value chains, development interventions, and rural livelihoods are explored in this article through a case study of smallholder coffee farming in the Toraja region of Indonesia. In this case, value-chain interventions in the coffee sector are unlikely to significantly contribute to improved rural welfare due to the diversified reality of local livelihoods, the nuances of how coffee production is embedded within Torajan culture and economy, and excellent prevailing market opportunities. The livelihood framework, therefore, provides an important corrective for the sometimes excessive optimism presented by advocates of a value-chain approach to rural development.     

RURAL POPULATION LOSS AND CROPLAND CHANGE IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CROPLAND RETIREMENT POLICY∗

Given steadily increasing federal expenditures to manage surplus crop production, it would seem to make economic and environmental sense to concentrate production on the best acreage and to retire marginal crop acreage to alternate uses. A major obstacle constraining adoption and implementation of cropland retirement programs in the past has been the fear that cropland retirement threatens the viability of rural communities. Regression of change in population and retail establishments on changes in farm structure, nonfarm employment, and agricultural land-use in the rural Southern Plains between 1930 and 1970 provides only weak evidence to support this fear. In fact, short-term cropland idling under post-1960 price-support programs appears to pose more of a threat to rural communities than does cropland retirement.     

RURAL POPULATION LOSS AND CROPLAND CHANGE IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CROPLAND RETIREMENT POLICY*

Given steadily increasing federal expenditures to manage surplus crop production, it would seem to make economic and environmental sense to concentrate production on the best acreage and to retire marginal crop acreage to alternate uses. A major obstacle constraining adoption and implementation of cropland retirement programs in the past has been the fear that cropland retirement threatens the viability of rural communities. Regression of change in population and retail establishments on changes in farm structure, nonfarm employment, and agricultural land-use in the rural Southern Plains between 1930 and 1970 provides only weak evidence to support this fear. In fact, short-term cropland idling under post-1960 price-support programs appears to pose more of a threat to rural communities than does cropland retirement.     

Unpacking ‘Success’: Applying Local Perceptions to Interpret Influences of Water Fund Payments for Ecosystem Services in the Ecuadorian Andes

NGOs, government agencies, and green businesses proclaim water fund arrangements in Latin America as successful payments for ecosystem services (PES) systems. Associated success narratives emphasize that PES allows downstream ecosystem service beneficiaries to incentivize upstream land managers to pursue conservation activities. However, recent scholarship questions their on-the-ground influence. This article assesses the success narrative of Quito, Ecuador’s Fondo para la protección del Agua’s (FONAG) as a model water fund PES arrangement. Using a novel perceived directionality framework, the author compares the FONAG claims about its influence to ethnographic evidence from three participating rural communities. The findings suggest that statements of direct, causal influence on local conservation activities overlook local context and ignores nuance within the interactions between program incentives and in community activity. This study urges future assessments of PES arrangements to recognize complexities in political, economic, and social context.     

The Implementation and Sustainability of Village Conservation Agreements Around Kerinci Seblat National Park,Indonesia

We investigated the implementation and sustainability of village conservation agreements and village conservation grants facilitated by an integrated conservation and development project (ICDP) around the Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia, 5 years after the project closed. Forty-three percent of agreement actions (n = 180) and 30% of grant activities (n = 74) were sustained. Informants identified numerous factors influencing success, but statistical tests failed to detect simple explanations. Conservation-livelihood agreements have a greater chance of success when preexisting factors are understood and the purpose of the agreement itself is clearly defined.     

Scenarios for Community-based Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation: a case study from the Wet Tropics,Queensland, Australia

Natural resource management approaches that deliver biodiversity conservation remain elusive, with evidence of a persistent implementation gap between biodiversity science and conservation projects. Scenarios have been identified as potentially useful in addressing the complex issues underlying this implementation gap, but have been infrequently applied to biodiversity conservation. Our paper reports on action co-research to develop, apply and assess the efficacy of scenarios within a community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) approach to biodiversity conservation at Mission Beach, a key site within the globally significant Wet Tropics bioregion. We focused on the capacity of scenarios to address the issues of contested interests and uncertainty, aiming specifically to engage the community to build a cohesive vision. The scenarios' headline messages included a projected substantial loss of habitat in coastal vegetation communities that are highly valued by all stakeholders. Our assessment identified that the use of scenarios fulfilled the intended aims, resulting in a vision for biodiversity conservation that has substantial community support. Three factors contributed to this efficacy of the scenarios: (1) the focus on threat; (2) biodiversity science integration; and (3) simplicity in presentation. Further investigation of the potential of scenarios as tools to overcome the implementation gap in biodiversity conservation is recommended.     

基于乡村多功能理论的贫困村域演变特征与振兴路径探讨——以海南省什寒村为例

对于多数农村地区而言,贫困是制约乡村发展的重要因素,为摆脱对农业的过度依赖和单一生产功能,乡村多功能逐步进入人们的视野并日渐受到关注,在很大程度上多功能路径有助于减少贫困发生率,并提高农村社区和家庭面对生存压力的能力。论文立足于乡村振兴的时代背景,在阐释乡村多功能概念内涵的基础上,采用实地调研和半结构式访谈等方法,基于多功能视角剖析贫困村域乡村发展的演变特征及驱动因素,总结提炼其创新发展模式,在此基础上进一步探讨贫困村域乡村振兴的路径选择。结果表明：① 在内外部驱动力的作用下,海南省什寒村实现了从弱势的贫困农村向产品多样化的多功能乡村转变;② 乡村农业生产、就业与社会保障、生态保育及文化传承等多项功能的协调发展,对于提高农村社会经济发展水平、增强乡村弹性具有积极意义;③ 驱动乡村多功能演化的因素包含政策支持、市场需求、自然本底、资金技术、行为主体和文化特质等多个方面;④ 针对贫困村域乡村发展存在的制约因素,提出从宏观层面提供乡村振兴外援力、从中观层面促进乡村振兴交互力、从微观层面激发乡村振兴内生力,通过总体谋划、各个击破以实现乡村振兴。最后从多功能视角,对乡村振兴发展的困境与出路进行了探讨。     

第二次世界大战后英国乡村景观研究的脉络走向及启示

英国是全球乡村景观建设和发展的典范。从地理学、生态学及规划学等综合的视角出发,首先从社会背景上分析二战后英国乡村景观的演变轨迹;其次从学术背景梳理英国乡村景观的研究历程,并从学科角度提炼不同阶段的研究重点及研究特征;最后从研究趋势方面讨论学者们最新的研究议题。在梳理和总结英国乡村景观研究的基础上,提出对中国乡村景观研究的启示和借鉴。     

国内外民族社区研究综述

以少数民族为居民主体的社区是一种特殊的社区类型。作为民族社会的重要构成单元,社区内独特的民族性、文化性和地域性日益成为国内外学者关注的重点。文章首先回顾了国外民族社区研究的历史起源,总结了城市民族社区的研究重点,并对乡村民族社区的影响、类型、变迁、旅游和感知研究进行详细的归纳总结;国内民族社区研究则从内涵、演变、发展以及旅游影响研究4 个重点领域进行进展分析。在以上研究的基础上,从研究领域、研究方法、研究对象、研究理论基础和研究内容5 个方面将国内外民族社区研究进行对比,并提出,国内民族社区研究亟需加强民族社区演化的影响因素、动态演化机制、居民生计方式、文化遗产保护与利用、经济结构协调、村落空间形态演变和整合开发以及可持续发展政策等7个方面的研究。     

论北京农村空间的商品化与城乡关系

基于后生产主义理论,讨论了北京农村空间的商品化与城乡关系问题,并从理论抽象方面取得了以下认识：（1） 无论农村与城镇,空间是一种抽象的概念,理论上,自然界的纯粹空间不具有商品价值意义。空间的商品化是与一定的人类经济生产活动和生产方式相联系而存在和逐步显现的;（2） 在经济全球化与可持续发展的背景下,随着社会经济力的增强、后生产主义思想的蔓延,人类生产活动日益丰富,空间的商品化也进一步显现;（3） 改革开放以来,北京农村的景观、土地利用、就业、生活形态、旅游业的快速发展使得北京农村空间生产内容发生了巨大变化,多样化愈趋增强,北京农村空间的商品性也日益突出;（4） 随着农村空间商品化的发展,北京地区的城乡差距逐步缩小,北京地区长期扭曲的城乡关系得到一定程度的纠正。     

BIODIVERSITY AND LAND‐USE CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN MOUNTAIN WEST

ABSTRACT. Rural private lands in the Mountain West of the United States are undergoing a profound land‐use conversion, from agriculture to low‐density residential or exurban development, though little scientific study documents the ecological consequences of this change. Nongovernmental conservation organizations are working with ranchers to keep rangeland out of development and in ranching, ostensibly because these organizations believe that biodiversity is better protected on ranches than on exurban developments. We compared plant and wildlife communities across the principal rural land uses in the Mountain West: protection, livestock ranching, and exurban development. Native plant and faunal biodiversity was better maintained on ranches and protected areas than on exurban developments. Exurban developments favored species that were nonnative or adapted to human‐altered environments. The continued conversion of ranches to exurban development suggests a long‐term alteration of the region's natural heritage.     

平原农区土地综合整治与乡村转型发展协同机制

平原农区是保障国家粮食安全的核心区,土地综合整治与乡村转型发展协同有利于缓解平原农区经济发展、耕地保护、生态保育等多重压力,保障乡村振兴政策落实。本文以“问题研判—策略梳理—机制构建—实证检验”为研究主线,探讨两者协同机制。研究表明：① 平原农区“三生”空间利用冲突显著,生产空间低值低效、生活空间无序空废、生态空间污损衰退共同制约乡村转型发展;② 面向土地价值提升、人居环境改善、产业融合发展的土地综合整治优化策略,有利于推动乡村转型发展;③ 新时期,土地综合整治由“以地为本”单要素调控转向“人、地、业、权”多要素协同综合整治,权利重组、空间重构、产业重塑是推动土地综合整治与乡村转型发展协同的核心机制;④ 平原农区典型地区禹城市,聚焦土地权属调整、空心村整治和现代产业培育,实现土地综合整治与乡村转型发展的协同推进。本文有利于深化平原农区人地系统科学新认知,为构建现代化国土空间治理体系和全面推进乡村振兴提供实践参考。     

城乡融合与乡村振兴：理论探讨、机理阐释与实现路径

缩小城乡差距,促进城乡均衡发展,实现城乡居民生活质量等值,是乡村振兴和城乡融合发展的重要目标。通过基础理论的分析,探讨了城乡融合与乡村振兴科学内涵,剖析了城乡融合与乡村振兴的相互关系,构建了城乡空间均衡模型和定义城乡等值线,提出了中国城乡融合与乡村振兴实现途径及需要深入研究的方向。结果表明：① 城乡融合发展是基于空间布局优化和制度供给创新的经济、社会、环境全面融合发展,“乡村振兴五边形”和“人—地—钱—业”是乡村振兴的核心内涵;城乡融合与乡村振兴战略相互支撑,城乡融合和乡村振兴的过程是城乡空间动态均衡的过程。② 城乡发展的空间均衡模型可以较好地阐释促进城乡融合发展、实施乡村振兴的关键问题,通过城乡要素的重新优化配置和人口的流动,城乡人均综合发展效益逐渐趋于相等;城乡等值线可以进一步解释城乡发展空间均衡的动态过程与传导机理。③ 从政策制度构建、“点轴”渐进扩散、分区分类推进、典型发展模式提炼等方面探讨乡村振兴的科学路径,可以为中国乡村振兴战略实施提供理论参考。     

Promises and Perils of Decentralized Forest Governance: The Case of Indonesia's Forest Management Units in Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)

Indonesia's forest management unit (Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan or KPH) system can be a promising mechanism for balancing international and national interests for global carbon mitigation initiatives with local interests in project implementation. We discuss the potential role of the KPH system in implementing REDD+ (Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects and improving decentralized forest governance. Substantial financial gains from international initiatives like REDD+ and others can provide appropriate motivation for the central government to ensure successful decentralization of forest management. Development and implementation of REDD+ activities can also support the KPHs in performing their basic functions: conducting forest inventory, developing and implementing forest management plans, and strengthening communication and coordination with local communities. However, engaging indigenous peoples and local communities, which is a legal mandate for the system, will require building some measure of democratic process that can hold the KPHs accountable to local people.     

四川省县域乡村地域功能类型识别及乡村振兴路径研究

乡村振兴战略背景下,中国乡村进入转型发展的关键阶段,探索不同地域类型的乡村振兴具体路径具有重要意义。以四川省为例,构建县域乡村地域功能评价指标体系,研究县域经济发展、粮食生产、社会保障和生态保育功能的空间差异,识别各县域主导功能和短板功能,探索各类型区差异化的乡村振兴路径。结果表明：1）四川省乡村地域功能空间格局分异特征明显。经济发展功能和社会保障功能的地带性规律基本一致,均呈现由川东南向川西北逐渐减弱的分异格局,粮食生产功能在成都平原经济区和攀西安宁河流域的空间集聚特征明显,生态保育功能则呈现由川东南向川西北逐渐增强态势。2）以主导功能和短板功能为划分原则,将四川省划分为主导发展型、极化发展型和综合发展型三大类,并根据不同地域类型提出乡村振兴的实施路径：主导发展型应优先发挥主导功能,同时整合协调其他功能,带动乡村振兴全面发展;极化发展型在发挥其优势功能的同时需补齐短板,实现基本均衡发展;综合发展型依托现有基础,实现产业再升级,促进产城融合,成为四川省乡村振兴发展引领示范区。     

Area-level risk factors for heat-related illness in rural and urban locations across North Carolina,USA

An improved understanding of heat vulnerable populations and locations is needed, especially in rural communities. The objective of this study was to identify area-level risk factors for heat-related illness (HRI) at the ZIP code level for urban and rural locations. We aggregated ZIP code-level emergency department visits into rural and urban locations based on population density. Area-level risk factors included previously established heat health risk factors (e.g. poverty, minority) and unexamined area-level risk factors common to rural locations (e.g. mobile homes, agriculture). Due to high spatial autocorrelation, a spatial error regression model was applied to identify risk factors with a significant relationship with HRI. Our results suggest that rural locations are also heat vulnerable, with greater rates of HRI compared to urban locations. Previously unexamined heat-health risk factors, including the number of mobile homes, non-citizens, and the labor-intensity of the agriculture, were all associated with increases of HRI in rural locations. In urban locations, previously established risk factors for heat-related mortality, such as decreased vegetation, living in poverty, and low education attainment were associated with increases in HRI.     

Combating Desertification and Improving Local Livelihoods through the GGWI in the Sahel Region: The Example of Senegal

The Great Green Wall Initiative (GGWI) has an overall objective of fighting desert encroachment through proven practices of sustainable management of land, and the reinforcement and protection of natural resources and systems of production and transformation, while also ensuring socio-economic development of local communities through multi-purpose activity platforms. The activities described in the present study are designed to accomplish several goals: (1) generate wealth, (2) strengthen access to basic social services, (3) manage the transition to a green economy as a means of creating suitable conditions for the emergence of rural production centers, (4) integrate sustainable development in order to eradicate poverty and food insecurity, and (5) strengthen adaptation and resilience capacities of local populations. The present study was undertaken on the basis of a wide variety of available publications and documentation, including articles and scientific papers, thesis, meeting summaries and reports, concerning the implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative/GGWI in Senegal.     

A comparison of classification systems for the conservation of sparsely wooded plains on Melville Island,Northern Australia

A floristic quadrat study of sparsely wooded plains on western Melville Island was conducted and used to define and describe floristic and structural vegetation types and identify their associated environmental correlates. The results were compared with an existing land‐unit survey of the area in order to identify the relative merits of these schemes for conservation planning. All schemes identify a range of broad structural types including Acacia shrubland, Grevillea pteridifolia low woodland, Lophostemon lactifluus low woodland, and Banksia dentata low woodland. However, some of the structural and land‐unit types are composed of two plant communities with distinctive environmental relations. Despite being structurally distinctive, some community types are floristically indistinguishable from surrounding forest dominated by Eucalyptus miniata and E. tetrodonta. The number of species captured by randomly selecting sites from each classificatory type revealed little difference between schemes. All the classificatory approaches were less effective at species capture than a simple iterative procedure. Some of the plant communities seem to be unique and require preservation initiatives in the face of current forestry operations and planned horticultural development.     

江苏省乡村地域功能与振兴路径选择研究

乡村振兴战略背景下,探索乡村振兴的差异化路径成为研究热点。乡村地域功能具有空间的差异性,明晰乡村地域功能的空间格局对于准确定位乡村发展模式、实施差异化的乡村振兴路径具有重要意义。本文以江苏省为例,采用定量评价方法,构建了包含生产发展、生活保障和生态保育为核心的乡村地域多维功能评价指标体系,以县级尺度识别了乡村地域功能的空间格局和地域类型,在此基础上探索各类型区差异化的乡村振兴路径。结果表明：江苏省乡村生产发展功能尚需完善、空间集聚程度低;生活保障功能空间格局和社会经济发展的地带性规律基本一致,呈现由苏南向苏北渐进衰退的趋势;生态保育功能高值区的区县数量较少,大部分区县的生态保育功能还有待加强;乡村地域总体功能由苏南向苏北呈现先行发展区、优化升级区、转型提升区和滞后欠发达区四种地域类型。此外,根据乡村地域总体功能呈现的差异化地域类型分别提出了相应的乡村振兴路径。