Amazonian peasants, rain forest use, and income generation: The role of wealth and geographical factors

This article explores the role of wealth and geographical factors in shapin g livelihood strategies among forest peasant households in the Pacaya-Samir ia National Reserve area of the Peruvian Amazon. Using household survey dat a (n = 251), the article shows significant livelihood heterogeneity, differ ential specialization in resource use, and variations in wealth portfolios across and within villages. Analyses of relationships among household wealt h-resource use-income reveal: (1) a positive relationship between productiv e capital holding and fishing activity in land-poor villages; (2) a positiv e relationship between land holdings and agricultural activity in land-rich villages; and (3) higher incomes and reliance on resource extraction in la nd-middle villages where extractive activity is found to be negatively rela ted to land holdings. Results suggest the role of geographical factors and nonphysical assets such as extractive skills in resource extraction. The po tential value of wealth-based assessment instruments for rain forest conser vation-development initiatives is discussed.