Household's livelihoods strategies and their resilience in Oaxaca coast, Mexico

Rural households are embedded into communities and interact with to other regional scales for their livelihoods. That socio-ecological system is dynamic and receives different stressors and rural livelihood strategies and... [ view full abstract ]

Rural households are embedded into communities and interact with to other regional scales for their livelihoods. That socio-ecological system is dynamic and receives different stressors and rural livelihood strategies and their resilience are presented. For that purpose, we first identify the main stressors and shocks for households, then we present the results of an econometric model showing the assets that are determinant for the diversification strategies with an emphasis on ecotourism, and finally we show an estimation of household’s resilience based on their assets recovery. The study is carried on at a household level in four coastal communities of Oaxaca. Results are based on semi-structured interviews and surveys at a households level carried out in 2013 and 2016. Results show that hurricane Carlota is the main natural shock and diversification into ecotourism is determined by community organisation, environmental awareness, land, and government transfers. Resilience degree measurement is presented as well as assets connectivity showing that diversification is a key aspect, as well as social and natural capitals.