This study is an attempt to explore the livelihood effects of wetlands on people’s livelihood. The area of study, Zarivar wetland, is located in western Iran. The study carried out using a quantity–quality approach based on library and field studies along with a questionnaire and a focused group discussion. Based on the results, the wetland has had a great effect on residents’ life in five dimensions of livelihood capitals, i.e. financial, natural, human, physical, and social. Among the livelihood strategies from the wetland, the strategy of diversity of livelihood and income activities had greater importance for local households. Also, a positive and significant relationship was found between livelihood capitals arising from the wetland and household livelihood level. The results of path analysis showed that the natural capital has the greatest effect on people`s livelihood showing the crucial role of livelihood capitals from the wetland in determining their livelihood level and dependency on functions and services of the existing ecosystem
