Village and Development

Village and Development

An analysis of livelihood capital and resilience of rural settlements in arid and desert areas, case study of Khusf County

Document Type : Original Article

Author
J. Mikaniki
Associate Professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Geography Department, Faculty of Humanities, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
10.30490/rvt.2025.367458.1672
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Rural settlements in arid and desert regions are among the most vulnerable ecosystems to environmental crisis due to limited water resources, soil erosion, and low vegetation diversity. These communities frequently face challenges such as recurrent droughts, reduced crop yields, livelihood poverty, weak economic infrastructure, and migration. In such contexts, resilience is a critical factor influencing the sustainability of rural settlements. One key element in enhancing rural resilience is the availability and management of livelihood assets during crises, ensuring the sustainability of livelihoods despite harsh environmental conditions. Analyzing the impact of livelihood assets on rural resilience in arid and desert areas provides deeper insight into mechanisms that strengthen livelihood sustainability, reduce vulnerability, and enhance adaptability, all of which contribute to the sustainable and balanced development of rural regions. Livelihood capital is a vital concept for understanding how rural households manage their resources to achieve sustainable development and alleviate poverty. Human settlements in rural and arid areas are particularly susceptible to climate change impacts, especially drought. The resilience of these settlements depends largely on the availability of livelihood assets, which include five main categories: human, social, financial, physical, and natural capital.
Materials and methods
This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and is classified as applied research in terms of purpose. Data were collected through two methods: library research and field surveys. The primary data collection instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire, validated for content and reliability before deployment. Validity was confirmed by experts in rural development and planning from universities in South Khorasan Province. Reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha yielded coefficients of 0.906 for the livelihood capital component and 0.798 for the rural resilience component, indicating high internal consistency. The main variables studied included livelihood capital (comprising five indicators across 45 items) and rural resilience (comprising four components across 29 items). Responses were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale (very little, little, medium, much, very much). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, one-sample t-tests, and analysis of variance.
Results and discussion
Survey data on livelihood capital and rural resilience were analyzed according to the relevant indicators. The mean scores revealed that among livelihood capital components, human capital scored highest (mean = 4.17), while natural capital scored lowest (mean = 1.20). For rural resilience, the social resilience index had the highest average (3.76), whereas the physical-environmental index was lowest (1.46). Overall, the mean scores for livelihood capital (2.67) and resilience (2.75) were below the theoretical midpoint (3.0). One-sample t-tests confirmed that these mean values were significantly lower than the desired level. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive relationships between all livelihood capital indicators and rural resilience. The strongest correlation was observed between social capital and resilience (r = 0.631), and the weakest between natural capital and resilience (r = 0.277), indicating that social factors may play a more substantial role in resilience within this context.
 Conclusions
Rural settlements in arid and desert regions face profound socio-economic instability primarily due to persistent drought and water scarcity. The resilience of these communities to environmental challenges is strongly influenced by their livelihood capitals. Effective composition and management of these capitals are essential for enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience among rural households, given environmental constraints. This study, conducted in Khousf County—a prominent arid and desert area of South Khorasan Province—revealed that from the local community’s perspective, livelihood capitals and resilience are below desirable levels. This is largely attributable to adverse environmental factors such as water scarcity, drought-related stresses, and poor soil quality. Despite low scores in physical and natural capital, human capital was relatively strong, and social resilience was considered favorable despite weaknesses in physical-environmental resilience. The positive and significant correlations between livelihood capital and resilience highlight the interdependence of these constructs. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to strengthen livelihood assets, particularly natural and physical capitals, to enhance overall resilience in these vulnerable rural areas.
Keywords
Livelihood capital
Livelihood resilience
Rural development
Khousf County
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