Population mobility and livelihood diversification among indigenous peoples of the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

Throughout the Amazon, new roads, infrastructure, oil pipelines, colonist settlements, and mechanized agriculture, however, suggest an uncertain future for indigenous peoples. Indigenous communities of the Amazon are undergoing intense socio-economic, demographic, and cultural changes. There has been limited quantitative inquiry, however, into the determinants of change occurring among indigenous populations. The primary objective of this research is to examine the determinants of two important aspects of change occurring in indigenous populations: the adoption of non-farm employment (often referred to as livelihood diversification) and out-migration. Non-farm employment and out-migration may have unforeseen impacts, both positive and negative, on families, communities, and resource management institutions, and as such on the well-being of indigenous people and their lands. This research addresses the question, What are the individual, household, and contextual factors that lead indigenous households to decide to diversify livelihoods and participate in non-farm employment, or to have a member of the household move away temporarily or permanently? The research draws upon livelihoods and migration theories to examine population mobility among the indigenous. Household and community survey data and multi-level models are employed to make inferences about determinants of these important behaviors and their link to future resource use and livelihoods in the Amazon.

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