@article{fdi:010081128,
  title = {{R}ural roads are paving the way for land-use intensification in the uplands of {L}aos},
  author = {{C}astella, {J}ean-{C}hristophe and {P}haipasith, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{R}oad expansion has played a prominent role in the agrarian transition that marked the integration of swidden-based farming systems into the market economy in {S}outheast {A}sia. {R}ural roads deeply altered the landscape and livelihood structures by allowing the penetration of boom crops such as hybrid maize in remote territories. {I}n this article, we investigate the impact of rural road developments on livelihoods in northern {L}aos through a longitudinal study conducted over a period of 15 years in a forest frontier. {W}e studied adaptive management strategies of local stakeholders through the combination of individual surveys, focus group discussions, participatory mapping and remote-sensing approaches. {T}he study revealed the short-term benefits of the maize feeder roads on poverty alleviation and rural development, but also the negative long-term effects on agroecosystem health and agricultural productivity related to unsustainable land use. {L}essons learnt about the mechanisms of agricultural intensification helped understanding the constraints faced by external interventions promoting sustainable land management practices. {W}hen negotiated by local communities for their own interest, roads may provide livelihood-enhancing opportunities through access to external resources, rather than undermining them.},
  keywords = {feeder roads ; maize expansion ; landscape changes ; livelihood ; transformations ; {L}aos ; {LAOS}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{L}and},
  volume = {10},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {330 [19 p.]},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.3390/land10030330},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081128},
}