A Study On Water Resources Management And Rural Household Livelihoods Diversity In Shiyang River Basin

Land and water resources as the representative of natural capital is an important basis for the survival and development of peasants, all livelihood activities of peasants’ families are greatly dependent on arable land and water resources. Given the natural characteristics of water resources in Northwest Arid Inland River Basin is "there is an oasis of water, no water is desert", so the basin as an unit for the efficient management of water resources is particularly important. Shiyang River Basin is one of the three inland river basins in the Hexi Corridor, for a long time, water resource has always been the first element of economic and social development in the river basin.With the rapid economic development, and with the modern industrial, agricultural and any other emerging industries are booming, development around the water is faced with many difficulties.Based on the Comprehensive governance of macroeconomic policy background in Shiyang River Basin, for "water restrictions and reduction of arable land" policy implemented after five years later, systematically analysis the different levels of subject (government, peasants’ families) in water resources management’s situation. Using quantitative methods to analyze livelihoods’ diversity of peasants’ families and its influencing factors in the basin after the implementation of the policy, and to explore the relationship between water resources management and multiple pathways livelihood of peasants’ families.Using standard research methods and empirical analysis methods, combining to use qualitative and quantitative analysis method of mixed methods research path, application of environmental science, sociology, human geography, statistics, and other related disciplines’ professional knowledges, using the first-hand interviews and field survey questionnaire data, systematic study the water management and livelihoods of peasants and the relationship between them under policy implications.Through research, draw the following conclusions:(1) Under the comprehensive governance policies of Basin, the water management body showing the pattern of led by government and the mass are participated in."Limited water" policy has a significant impact on peasants’families in the use of water resources, efficiency and management, the effect of Water-saving is obvious.(2) Rural households livelihoods dependent on the vulnerability of living environment is fragile,most families’ livelihoods mode is single, different livelihood capitals were developed uneven. Overall conversion of livelihood systems lack intrinsic motivation and persistence.(3) Two mainly actions were taken to response the policies by the rural households:Firstly, adjust planting structure, optimize livelihood asset portfolio, and reasonable arrangements for livelihood activities, efforts to achieve diversification of agricultural activities in the internal operations. Secondly, expand outward livelihood approaches, transfer surplus labor in the family, increase in non-farm employment income.In addition, the empirical results further validate the livelihood approaches of peasants’ families in the basin tend to diversify.(4) There exist an accompanied coupling relationship between the diverse ways of water management and households livelihoods,their interaction is together to protect and restore the ecological environment of the basin, to pursuit sustainable use of water resources and improve multi-channel households living.