The Impact of Livelihood Capital on Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in Wildlife Conservation: Evidence from the Communities Around the Jiyuan Macaque Nature Reserve in China

Abstract

Understanding the impact and mechanisms of livelihood capital on farmers’ willingness to participate in wildlife conservation is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of wildlife protection in nature reserves. Based on survey data from 186 farmers around the Jiyuan Macaque Natural Reserve in Henan Province, this study employs an ordered probit model to examine how livelihood capital on farmers’ willingness to engage in wildlife conservation. Additionally, mediating and moderating effect models are used to explore the mediating role of perceived living conditions and the moderating role of farmers’ policy cognition. The key findings are threefold: (1) Livelihood capital has a significant positive effect on farmers’ willingness to participate in wildlife conservation. (2) Perceived living conditions significantly mediate the relationship between capital and farmers’ willingness to participate. (3) Farmers’ awareness of ecotourism policies positively moderates the effect of livelihood capital on their willingness to participate, whereas awareness of wildlife damage compensation policies does not show a significant moderating effect. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should focus on enhancing farmers’ livelihood capital, improving their perceived living conditions, and strengthen policy publicity and awareness.