Deactivation of field cultivation in communal areas of South Africa: Patterns, drivers and socio-economic and ecological consequences

被引:58
作者
Shackleton, C. M. [1 ]
Mograbi, P. J. [1 ]
Drimie, S. [2 ]
Fay, D. [3 ]
Hebinck, P. [4 ,5 ]
Hoffman, M. T. [6 ]
Maciejewski, K. [2 ]
Twine, W. [7 ]
机构
[1] Rhodes Univ, Dept Environm Sci, ZA-6140 Makhanda, South Africa
[2] Univ Stellenbosch, Ctr Complex Syst Transit, Southern Africa Food Lab, Stellenbosch, South Africa
[3] Univ Calif Riverside, Dept Anthropol, Riverside, CA 92521 USA
[4] Wageningen Univ, Dept Sociol Dev & Change, Wageningen, Netherlands
[5] Univ Ft Hare, Dept Agr Econ & Extens, Alice, South Africa
[6] Univ Cape Town, Dept Biol Sci, Plant Conservat Unit, Private Bag X3, ZA-7701 Rondebosch, South Africa
[7] Univ Witwatersrand, Sch Anim Plant & Environm Sci, ZA-2050 Johannesburg, South Africa
基金
新加坡国家研究基金会;
关键词
Communal; Field deactivation; Livelihoods; Local and national consequences; Patterns and drivers; South Africa; LAND-COVER CHANGE; RURAL EASTERN CAPE; VEGETATION CHANGE; LOCAL KNOWLEDGE; FOOD SECURITY; ABANDONMENT; LIVELIHOODS; LANDSCAPE; DEAGRARIANIZATION; BIODIVERSITY;
D O I
10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.01.009
中图分类号
X [环境科学、安全科学];
学科分类号
08 ; 0830 ;
摘要
Smallholder production is a significant contributor to rural livelihoods and rural economies in much of the developing world. Yet, there is evidence of increasing disengagement in some regions, including southern Africa. However, there has been little consideration of the rates and the livelihood, ecological and policy implications of such. In this paper we examine previous studies on rates of deactivation of crop fields by smallholders in the communal areas of South Africa, supported by repeat photo images and case study material. Together these various methods show that it is a widespread phenomenon occurring at variable rates. Over short periods deactivation of crop fields can be balanced through some reactivation or intensification of homegardens. But over longer periods there is a net decline in the area of fields cultivated in many areas, with corresponding increases in the area of fallow land which, through time, may undergo changes towards more natural vegetation. We review the drivers of this deactivation of field cropping, and then contemplate the possible socio-economic and ecological implications at local and national scales. We show that there are numerous and profound implications that require greater understanding and policy responses.
引用
收藏
页码:686 / 699
页数:14
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