Assessment of rural livelihoods in South-West China based on environmental, economic, and social indicators

A multitude of rural areas is facing increasing conflicts with regard to rural development and nature conservation because of the rapid commercialization of farming and the building and improvement of roads. In Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, South West China, this development results in strong land use changes. An analysis of these changes demands an integrated approach addressing their ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Using a combined modelling system, the NabanFrame Modeling Framework, the interdisciplinary research project LILAC was able to provide the calculation of scenarios based on the current state of land use and economic and ecological effects. The papers in the special issue combine description of the different components of the framework with some examples of scenarios calculated with the framework. Furthermore, frame conditions for better implementation of environmentally friendly land use options are explored. The role of interdisciplinary research in the development of site-adapted and integrated land use solutions is described. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.