Empirical regularities in the poverty–environment relationship of rural households: Evidence from Zimbabwe

A common finding among case-studies is that poor households rely more on forest and environmental income sources than better-off households, with reliance measured in relative terms.

“A common finding among case-studies presented in the literature is that poor households rely more on forest and environmental income sources than better-off households, with reliance measured in relative terms as its share in total household income (e.g., Campbell & Luckert, 2002; Cavendish, 2000; Yemiru et al., 2010).”

Non-forest environmental income plays an important role in rural livelihoods.

“While forest income is the primary contributor to total environmental income, non-forest environmental income also plays an important role in rural livelihoods confirming the findings of seminal environmental income studies (e.g., Cavendish, 2000; Metz, 1989).”

The literature suggests that absolute environmental income rises with total income.

“The literature suggests that absolute environmental income rises with total income, while relative environmental income (i.e., the share of environmental income in total household income) decreases—i.e., household’s environmental “dependence” or “reliance” decreases with higher incomes (Cavendish, 2000; Escobal & Aldana, 2003; Mamo et al., 2007; Neumann & Hirsch, 2000; Vedeld et al., 2007).”

The literature suggests that relative environmental income decreases with higher incomes.

“The literature suggests that absolute environmental income rises with total income, while relative environmental income (i.e., the share of environmental income in total household income) decreases—i.e., household’s environmental “dependence” or “reliance” decreases with higher incomes (Cavendish, 2000; Escobal & Aldana, 2003; Mamo et al., 2007; Neumann & Hirsch, 2000; Vedeld et al., 2007).”

Forest income is the primary contributor to total environmental income.

“While forest income is the primary contributor to total environmental income, non-forest environmental income also plays an important role in rural livelihoods confirming the findings of seminal environmental income studies (e.g., Cavendish, 2000; Metz, 1989).”