Assessing the Ecological Carrying Capacity Based on Revised Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Model in Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

Under the concept of green development, accurately mapping ecological carrying capacity to effectively evaluate regional sustainability has already become an important issue in China. This study introduced ecological carrying capacity intensity (ECintensity) based on the revised three-dimensional ecological footprint (3DEF) model to describe the temporal–spatial patterns of three-dimensional ecological carrying capacity (EC3D) in Inner Mongolia in 2010–2016 and to explore factors affecting socioeconomic sustainable development. The results showed that ecological footprint size (EFsize) differed between cities/leagues but changed little during the study period. Ecological footprint depth (EFdepth) far exceeded the original value of 1.00. Ecological carrying capacity (EC) varied in cities/leagues, while ECintensity increased slowly with stronger potential for regional development. Three-dimensional ecological deficits (ED3D) of cities/leagues were divided into five categories: Hohhot, Hulunbuir and Banyannur were in larger ecological surplus; Hinggan was in slight surplus; Baotou, Chifeng, Tongliao, Ulanqab, Xilin Gol and Erdos were in slight deficit; Wuhai was in stronger deficit; and Alxa was in severely intense deficit. Woodland of cities/leagues was continuously in slight ecological surplus, while cropland and grassland had crucial impacts on deficit. There was a significant positive linear correlation between gross domestic product (GDP) and footprint, while a negative correlation was seen with deficit. These results would help coordinate resource utilization and industrial structure adjustment in Inner Mongolia.

The Dynamic Evolution of the Ecological Footprint and Ecological Capacity of Qinghai Province

“…Under the combined effects of socioeconomic and environmental factors, the sustainability of Qinghai Province will decline yearly, and the conflict between socioeconomic development and environmental resource management will become increasingly prominent. From 2007 to 2017, the EF of ten thousand yuan of GDP in Qinghai Province showed a declining trend, decreasing from 1.5873 hm 2 in 2007 to 0.6774 hm 2 in 2017. This result shows that the utilization rate of resources in Qinghai Province is continuously improving and that there remains opportunity for improvement.…”

“…This pattern was observed mainly because the per capita EF of fossil energy land in 2009-2010 and 2017 was significantly lower than that of the previous year and because of the large proportion of per capita EF contributed by fossil energy land, which directly affected the per capita EF. During the 11-year study period, the per capita EC of Qinghai was significantly higher than the per capita EF, with an average of more than 2.1788 hm 2 . This shows that the consumption of natural resources by human beings increased year by year and that the pressure on the ecological environment increased day by day.…”

“…The economic development of Qinghai is mainly supported by the consumption of natural resources and energy resources. 2 , but because the contribution rate of woodland to the overall per capita EF was relatively low and the average annual occupation rate was 0.02%, the impact on the per capita EF was small. The other components show an increasing trend to varying degrees.…”

“…In recent decades, with the rapid economic development and population expansion, the impacts of human activities on the earth's ecosystem have been increasing; conflict among natural resources, the environment, and the economy has been increasing; and the risk of ecosystem degradation has been growing [1,2]. Sustainable development has gradually become a development goal of society [3].…”

The Efficiency of the Sustainable Development Policy for Energy Consumption under Environmental Law in Thailand: Adapting the SEM-VARIMAX Model

“…The new three methods were proposed, a correction factor for bio-capacity measurement, three-dimensional ecological footprint model and modified carbon footprint measurement. To add on, Wang et al [32] introduced the ecological carrying capacity intensity (EC Intensity) according to the revised version of three-dimensional ecological footprint (3DEF) model. The findings of the study disclosed that EC Intensity has raised slowly with stronger capacity for regional development.…”