Impact of farmers’ livelihood behavior on soil erosion in hilly areas—a comparison between erosion controlled and uncontrolled areas of southern China

Soil erosion is a form of land degradation caused by the interactive effects of natural factors and anthropogenic factors (e.g., farmer livelihood behavior). This study investigates the impact of farmer livelihood behavior on soil erosion in erosion controlled (western Fujian Province, WFP) and uncontrolled (northern Guangdong Province, NGP) areas of southern China. A participatory rural appraisal was used to investigate the differences in farmer livelihood behavior and attitudes towards soil erosion in NGP and WFP, and between full-time farmers and part-time farmers. A pressure–state–response (PSR) model was used to analyze the impacts of farmer livelihood behavior on soil erosion. Results were as follows: (1) the PSR value of soil erosion affected by full-time farmers was higher than that of soil erosion affected by part-time farmers; (2) the farmers’ participation in and awareness of soil and water conservation (SWC) were higher in WFP than in NGP, and the influence of the farmer livelihood behavior on soil erosion was considerable; and (3) the impact of full-time farmers’ livelihood behavior on soil erosion in 2016 was higher than that observed in 2012, and the impact of this behavior from part-time farmers was slightly lower in 2012. This study provides a new perspective for farmers’ control and management of soil erosion.