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This study explores the effects of social capital on farmers' choices of climate change adaptation behavior in Dazu District, China. A total of 228 questionnaires were obtained from randomly sampled households. Social capital was divided into social networks, participation, reciprocity and trust. The adaptation behaviors in the study area were identified as crop adjustment, environmental improvement, financial management, and livelihood diversification. A boosted regression tree model was used to analyze the effects of different dimensions of social capital on farmers' choices of climate change adaptation behavior. The results show that most farmers in Dazu District of Chongqing have adopted crop adjustment adaptation behavior. The social capital and socioeconomic characteristics of farmers have different impacts on different adaptation behaviors. Among social capital, the largest influence on climate change adaptation behavior is the degree of trust in the information of agricultural technology extension service centers, and the lowest influence is participation in rural cooperatives. In terms of socioeconomic characteristics, the largest impact on climate change adaptation behavior is agricultural income share, and the lowest impact is gender. The findings of this study can provide empirical support for governments to formulate effective policies to improve farmers' climate change adaptation capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate whether there are gender differences in the livelihood capital of farming households in China. A stratified random sampling technique and household surveys were used to collect data from Dazu District, China. This paper uses capital values to compute the level of livelihood capital, while the ordinary least squares model is employed to compare gender differences in livelihood capital. The results show significant gender differences in farmers' livelihood capital. Male farmers have more livelihood capital than female farmers. There are also significant gender differences in the factors that affect farmers' livelihood capital. Education and agricultural cooperatives are the major factors influencing the livelihood capital of men, while agricultural policy support and happiness are the major factors influencing the livelihood capital of women. These results imply that specific gender-based intervention programs should be implemented to maintain farmers' livelihood sustainability and to overcome gender gaps in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of the factors that influence the adaptation behaviour of farmers can help in developing effective adaptation measures. This study explores the effects of sociocognitive factors on the climate change adaptation behaviour of farmers based on a survey of 475 local farmers in rural Southwest China. The results show that most farmers were aware of climate change and believed the probability of exposure to climate changes in the future was high. A few farmers agreed that implementing adaptation measures can reduce the adverse effects of climate change. Most farmers believed that their ability to address climate change was low and the adaptation cost was high. The estimation results show that farmers' perceptions of climate change and adaptation significantly affected their adaptation level and specific practices. Specifically, farmers' perceptions of the negative impacts of climate change and the perceived severity, probability, adaptation efficacy and self-efficacy have positive effects on their adaptation decisions, while perceived adaptation cost has a negative effect. Farmer-to-farmer interactions and access to markets are significant factors influencing adaptation to climate change. The findings of this study have implications for policy makers in terms of the promotion of the adaption behaviour of farmers in response to climate change in China and other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of farmers' risk aversion and loss aversion on their climate change adaptation strategies. Farmers' risk aversion and loss aversion were elicited using incentive-compatible risk experiments. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect information on their climate change adaptation strategies in Wushen Banner in China. The logistic regression analysis results indicated that farmers' loss aversion is consistently and positively associated with choices across adaptation behaviors, indicating that more loss-averse farmers are more likely to improve irrigation, access to credit and increase rotation. The effects of farmers' risk aversion on adaptation practices are mixed. Farmers' risk aversion is negatively and significantly related to adaptation strategies on changing or increasing irrigation, but positively associated with crop diversification, accessing credit, increasing rotation and planting new crop varieties. Other socioeconomic factors, such as farmers' educational attainment and household income, also have significant and positive effects on farmers' adaptation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates gender differences in the pesticide use knowledge, risk awareness and practices of farmers in Anqiu County, China. A total of 452 male and 178 female farmers from seven towns were interviewed in 2016. The results show that there are gender differences regarding knowledge of pesticide impacts, pesticide use practices and protective behaviors. Male farmers had a better knowledge of pesticide use and greater awareness of associated health risks. More men than women used pesticides and disposed of the pesticide containers correctly, but fewer men applied protective measures or behaviors when using pesticides. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that participation in farmer professional cooperatives differed by gender and contributed greatly to the protective behaviors of farmers ( p < 0.05). These results suggest that gender-sensitive educational programs should be implemented to increase the awareness of safety amongst farmers, and protective measures should be encouraged to reduce exposure to pesticide risks in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the gender differences in farmers' responses to climate change adaption in Yongqiao District, China. A random sampling technique was used to select 220 household heads, while descriptive statistics and binary logit models were used to analyze the data obtained from the households. We determine that male and female respondents are not significantly different in their knowledge and perceptions of climate change, but there is a gender difference in adopting climate change adaptation measures. Male-headed households are more likely to adopt new technology for water conservation and to increase investment in irrigation infrastructure. The research also indicates that the adaptation decisions of male and female heads are influenced by different sets of factors. The findings of this research help to elucidate the determinants of climate change adaptation decisions for male and female-headed households and the strategic interventions necessary for effective adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We assess the role of each form of capital on adoption of adaptation strategies. • Farmers' livelihood capital plays a key role in adopting adaptation strategies. • Natural and social capital have a positive effect on adopting adaptation measures. • Physical and human capital are inclined to promote farmers' adaptive behavior. Based on the sustainable livelihood framework, this paper explores the influence of each form of livelihood capital on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies by farmers. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 235 households in Wushen Banner, China, while the boosted regression tree model was used to analyze how different forms of livelihood capital are related to farmers' choices regarding climate change adaptation strategies. Our results show that most farmers in the study area have adopted adaptation strategies to cope with climate change. The farmers' livelihood capital plays an important role in their adoption of adaptation strategies. Specifically, natural capital and social capital have a positive impact on farmers' decisions about climate change adaptation strategies. Human capital and physical capital are inclined to promote farmers' adoption of climate change adaptation strategies. The results of this study are helpful for improving our understanding of how livelihood capital influences climate change adaptation strategies among farmers, which can provide implications for planning more effective adaptation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]