The Impact of the Anti-Poverty Relocation and Settlement Program on Rural Households’ Well-Being and Ecosystem Dependence: Evidence from Western China

To evaluate the effect of China’s anti-poverty relocation and settlement program (ARSP) on both human well-being and ecosystem conservation, we divide the relationship between household well-being and ecosystem dependence into four modes and examine the impact of ARSP on these modes by using household survey data. It finds that relocated households and those under centralized resettlement, voluntary relocation, and new stage relocation fall closer to the “high well-being, low dependence” mode. However, our results also show some concerns. The sampled households are generally at low levels of well-being in absolute terms, and their dependence on provision services is much higher than other ecosystem services. Additionally, households participating in the ARSP are also likely to fall into the “high well-being, high dependence” mode. More targeted measures should be taken to address these issues, especially sustainable livelihoods for relocated households should be promoted.