Abstract:This paper analyzed the responses of farmers to policies of wetland protection and restoration by household survey (wetland restoration refers to conversion of cultivated land to wetland in this paper). The paralleling survey covered 310 households from 11 villages in core zone and experimental zone of Sanjiang Reserve, Heilongjiang Province in China. The result showed that there were similar responses to wetland protection and restoration: the youngsters, educated people and farmers living in experimental zone, tended to support for policies of wetland protection and restoration more actively. It was found that most farmers had recognized the importance of wetland, but whether farmers agreeing with policies of wetland protection and restoration or not was determined by economic benefits of farmers shared. There were some differences between the responses of farmers in experimental zone and core zone. Over 90% farmers, living in experimental zone, thought wetland protection could create better living environment; while over 35% farmers, living in core zone, preferred to be offered compensation for their economic benefits losing. The reasons of farmers opposing wetland restoration were that they considered cultivated land as the main income source, and had no other living skills and enough money to do other business. Therefore，farmers may accept it with the premise of obtaining cash compensation, new training or job opportunities, steady non-agricultural income, and equivalent land replacement. This study indicated that there had no exact compensation system and alternative livelihoods for local people, which would hinder wetland protection and restoration. Ecological benefits of wetland and economic benefits of farmers should be considered synchronously. And the compensation system and alternative livelihoods for farmers should be implemented as soon as possible, which would accelerate the process of wetland protection and restoration.