Influence of livelihood capital on adaptation strategies: Evidence from rural households in Wushen Banner, China

Abstract

Based on the sustainable livelihood framework, this paper explores the influence of each form of livelihood capital on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies by farmers. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 235 households in Wushen Banner, China, while the boosted regression tree model was used to analyze how different forms of livelihood capital are related to farmers’ choices regarding climate change adaptation strategies. Our results show that most farmers in the study area have adopted adaptation strategies to cope with climate change. The farmers’ livelihood capital plays an important role in their adoption of adaptation strategies. Specifically, natural capital and social capital have a positive impact on farmers’ decisions about climate change adaptation strategies. Human capital and physical capital are inclined to promote farmers’ adoption of climate change adaptation strategies. The results of this study are helpful for improving our understanding of how livelihood capital influences climate change adaptation strategies among farmers, which can provide implications for planning more effective adaptation programs.