[Objective] The livelihood capital and livelihood strategies of residents in nature reserve were researched to help the residents in nature reserve to choose livelihood strategy according to characteristic of its livelihood capital.[Methods] Three representative villages with regard to their geographic location and natural environment in rural areas were selected and the socioeconomic data were collected. The expanded sustainable livelihood framework was used for accounting livelihood capital of these 3 villages.[Results] According to the amount and structure of livelihood capital, we found that, in Zhongsha Village, though the natural capital was relatively good, the livelihood capital was the minimum. On the contrary, the livelihood capital was higher in Xijing and Liziba Village where the natural capitals were relatively weak. The proportions of material capital and financial capital in Liziba Village were comparatively higher, indicating that the two items have more important role for total livelihood capital.[Conclusion] The natural capital was unimportant for local residents' livelihood capital. At the same time, the role of information capital acting on the growth and accumulation of total amount of livelihood capital of residents in nature reserves is becoming more and more obvious.