This book examines social and natural environmental changes in present-day Laos and presents a new research framework for environmental studies from an interdisciplinary point of view. In Laos, after the Lao version of perestroika,Chintanakaan Mai, in 1986, for better or worse, rural development and urbanization have progressed, and peoples livelihoods are about to change significantly. Compared to those of the neighboring countries of mainland Southeast Asia, however, many traditional livelihoods such as region-specific/ethnic-specific livelihood complexes, which combined traditional rice farming with a variety of subsistence activities, have been carried over into the present in Laos. The biggest challenge this book presents is to elucidate livelihood strategies of people who cope successfully with both social and environmental changes and to illustrate how to maintain this rich social and natural environment of Laos in the future. The book includes chapters on social, cultural, and natural concerns and on ethnicity, urbanization, and regional development in Laos. All chapters are based on original data from field surveys. These data will greatly contribute not only to local studies in Laos but also to environmental studies in developing countries.

Laos in transition: The runner in front, leading the race or lagging a lap behind?.- The impact of urbanization on land use and the changing role of forests in Vientiane.- Mountainous livelihood in northern Laos: historical transition and current situation of a swidden village.- Grazing behavior and local management of cattle and buffaloes in rural Laos.- Analysis of monsoon climate variability for swidden agriculture in northern Laos.- Land use management and plant utilization of a swidden system in northern Laos A case study of Kachet village, Nam Bak district, Luang Phabang Province.- Spatial analysis of flood area and its impact on rice production on Vientiane Plain.- Influence of human activity on water and soil conditions of agricultural land in Laos.