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The Impact of Establishment of Nature Reserves on the Urban–Rural Income Gap: Evidence from County-Level Analysis in China

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  • Bo Cheng

    (School of Accounting and Finance, Xi’an Peihua University, Xi’an 710199, China)

  • Wenhao Xue

    (School of Economics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China)

  • Yi Zheng

    (School of Applied Economics, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 100102, China)

  • Zhe Yang

    (School of Economics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China)

  • Yulu Tian

    (Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

Abstract

While China has seen an economic boom in recent decades, ecological issues are becoming increasingly challenging, with biodiversity seriously threatened. Establishing nature reserves (NRs) is deemed a feasible measure to ease ecological pressure, but few studies have evaluated the impact of the establishment of NRs on the urban–rural income gap. Therefore, based on the county-level panel data from 2010 to 2018, this study analyzed in depth the effects of the establishment of NRs on the urban–rural income gap in China. The results suggested that establishing NRs is beneficial to bridging the income gap between urban and rural areas, especially in the western and the northeastern regions. In contrast to other levels (provincial level, city level, and county level), the establishment of national-level NRs demonstrated a more prominent effect on narrowing the urban–rural income gap. It is thus proposed to improve corresponding laws to strengthen the protection of NRs, especially for those located in the western and northeastern regions, where the increase in eco-economic compensation and development of tourism brands for the ecological tourism industry are of necessity. Taken together, this study provides evidence that the establishment of NRs alleviates the urban–rural income gap in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Cheng & Wenhao Xue & Yi Zheng & Zhe Yang & Yulu Tian, 2023. "The Impact of Establishment of Nature Reserves on the Urban–Rural Income Gap: Evidence from County-Level Analysis in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12804-:d:1224125
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ma, Ben & Cai, Zhen & Zheng, Jie & Wen, Yali, 2019. "Conservation, ecotourism, poverty, and income inequality – A case study of nature reserves in Qinling, China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 236-244.
    2. Tang, Jianjun & Gong, Jiaowei & Ma, Wanglin & Rahut, Dil Bahadur, 2022. "Narrowing urban–rural income gap in China: The role of the targeted poverty alleviation program," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 74-90.
    3. Canavire-Bacarreza, Gustavo & Hanauer, Merlin M., 2013. "Estimating the Impacts of Bolivia’s Protected Areas on Poverty," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 265-285.
    4. Yang, Zhe & Li, Qingqing & Xue, Wenhao & Xu, Zhihua, 2022. "Impacts of nature reserves on local residents' income in China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
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