Driving factors and the implications of work choices of rural laborers in ecologically vulnerable areas in North China

Using rural survey data for the year 2009, we provide evidence of work choices of rural laborers in ecologically vulnerable areas in North China, and model these choices as a function of characteristics of individuals, households, and land endowments. The findings reveal large differences between males and females, and between non-farm employment and part-time farming engagement. Land scarcity is still an important driving factor in non-farming participation of rural laborers in the study area; and in the current case of land productivity and the total amount of land, there are still surplus rural labor forces in the study area. Diversification of livelihood reduces the pressure on land, thus facilitating ecosystem conservation. So, the paper concludes with the argument that establishing coordination mechanisms among non-farm employment of rural laborers, agricultural production, and restoration of ecosystems are essential for mitigating the conflicts of ecological security, agricultural production, and rural development in this area.