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Tourism-Induced Livelihood Adaptive Process in Marine Protected Area Communities Under Socio-Ecological Changes: Evidence from the Pearl River Estuary, China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are crucial for marine ecosystems, but they often pose significant challenges for the local fishing communities that rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. Identifying approaches that maintain ecological integrity while improving community livelihoods and well-being has become a central issue in marine sustainability. This study investigates the adaptive livelihood strategies of a community on Qi’ao Island, located in China’s Pearl River Estuary, which has gradually transitioned from traditional fisheries to tourism-induced livelihoods. Based on Actor–network theory (ANT), we developed a multi-level approach to examine interactions between human and non-human actors, institutions, and policies during livelihood adaptation. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining semi-structured interviews (n = 47), extended field observation, and policy analysis. Computational text analysis techniques included word frequency analysis, sentiment analysis, and co-occurrence network analysis using Python 3.8. These were integrated with thematic analysis and coding conducted in NVivo 15. This study demonstrates that the sustainability of tourism-based livelihood adaptation depends on equitable benefit sharing, flexible governance, and sustained community participation. Theoretically, this research extends livelihood studies by demonstrating how ANT captures the relational and processual dynamics of adaptation. Practically, it offers policy-relevant insights for designing adaptive and participatory governance strategies that reconcile conservation objectives with community well-being in MPAs.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18020998

Authors: Hui Wang, Sayamol Charoenratana

Institutions: Chulalongkorn University, Guangzhou Xinhua University

Language: English

Topic: Coastal and Marine Management

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, No poverty, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896