The social impacts of protected areas on local communities: Complexities associated with governance and tourism in China

This PhD thesis investigates the social impacts experienced by local communities in and around two world-famous protected areas (PAs) in China, the Wulingyuan World Heritage Site (Wulingyuan) and the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP). Employing a mixed-methods approach, the thesis integrates policy analysis, surveys, and interviews, and it explores how governance structures, conservation initiatives, and tourism development shape the social impacts. The findings show that the Chinese government is gradually placing greater recognition on local communities in PAs, particularly by promoting community participation and tourism development. In Wulingyuan, various land acquisition actions and strict housing regulations have raised concerns among local communities regarding fairness, empowerment, and livelihoods. Tourism-driven economic growth does not necessarily translate into improved wellbeing for local communities, especially where there is unequal benefit-sharing or restrictive or inequitable management policies. Similarly, in the GPNP, perceived governance social equity significantly affects local support for conservation, particularly in terms of participation and the distribution of conservation costs and benefits. Furthermore, the loss of culture in communities surrounding PAs has largely been overlooked in conservation practices, leading to weakened local identity and limited intergenerational knowledge transfer. In summary, the governance structures of protected areas fundamentally shape their social impacts by influencing land use policies, access to economic opportunities, and local power dynamics. This study highlights that achieving a balance between ecological conservation and community well-being requires the promotion of fair and inclusive governance, effective community participation in decision-making, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms from both tourism and conservation efforts.