Rural livelihoods and natural resource sustainability : a case study of two communities on Chiloé Island : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Rural Development at Massey University, New Zealand
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Date
2005
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Massey University
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Abstract
This research examines the relationship between livelihood strategies of rural
communities in Chile and local environmental sustainability. It determines livelihood
options adopted by local communities and identifies their impact on the surrounding
environment. Two case studies are presented using the sustainable livelihood
approach as a framework to describe the livelihood strategies of two rural
communities in Chiloé Island. Environmental sustainability is investigated using
elements and concepts of the FESLM (Framework for Evaluating Sustainable Land
Management) approach and of agroecosystem analysis. Both communities were
selected because of their location close to extensive areas of native forests. One
community is relatively isolated, has a “Huilliche” ethnic tradition, with a
predominance of subsistence activities; the other is closer to markets and their
livelihoods are primarily derived from farming-forestry systems. Data for the study
was collected from in-depth semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews
with local leaders, relevant local government staff, NGOs, and community members.
For the examined cases, results suggest that rural subsistence communities are
highly diversified, using their resources in a non-sustainable way; generating
livelihood strategies that fail to improve their social, economic and environmental
conditions. Low productivity soils, steep slopes, and depleted fragile forest
ecosystems create a complex natural resource base. The main causes for the
community economic problems are the lack of road networks and markets to sell
products to. Organisations in charge of development interventions are aware of the
situation but find it difficult to start a sustainable development process, mostly due to
a lack of human capital in the communities, notably education, organisational skills,
and technology adoption.
Future development interventions should tackle the issues that constrain
development in these communities, consider rural communities’ context-specific
characteristics, value local culture and tradition, facilitate to build social and human
capital, ensure integrated management of natural resources, and assist with markets
for existing and value-added products produced by local households.
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Keywords
sustainable rural development, livelihood strategies, environmental sustainability, Chile, SLA (sustainable livelihood approach)