Abstract:

This paper discussed the nature, significance and diversified pattern of the equalization in the usufruct of forest land based on the survey data obtained by interviewing with the farmers at Zhouyuan, Shangping, Gaonan and Yangjiaxu village of Shaowu in Fujian Province in 2006 This equalization is a process to assign the usufruct of forestland to farmers equitably, and a result that the farmers pursue the equitable rights, and also a precondition to set up the individual Household Responsibility System in forestry. The study found that the farmers liked equalization in the usufruct of forestland. The equalization was a choice to that the farmers long looked forward. The survey data also showed that the forest resource quantity and the degree for the farmers to control the forest resources affected heavily the degree and pattern of implementing the equalization goal. Up to the date, there appeared some signs improving efficiency of the resource allocation in the villages that had already done the reform.

Key words: the collective forest tenure reform, equalization in the usufruct of forestland, initial arrangements of property rights, institution performance