Examining Linkages among Livelihood Strategies, Ecosystem Services, and Social Well-Being to Improve National Park Management

This research examines perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) and social well-being in the Wuyishan National Park, China. study analyses importance linkages between them based on impact new designation protected areas this social-ecological system. Realisation rural is critical to park-people relations populated areas, effective resolution needed achieve positive conservation outcomes. We conducted 372 structured interviews with community members different livelihood strategies. Key findings from include: (1) provisioning (e.g., tea, rice, timber) cultural ES local culture, eco-tourism) related both current necessity future development pursuit. (2) The perceived material higher than spiritual well-being, high closely high-income groups those that think highly services, i.e., engaged non-agricultural activities tourism) tea cultivation. (3) Cultural values are better preserved rice cultivation tourism, but general, they not incorporated improve well-being. results suggest Protected area (PA) management communities must seek valorisation for differentiated strategies people’s sustainable stability