Comprehensive Evaluation and Spatial Difference Analysis of Regional Ecological Carrying Capacity: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration

Abstract

Ecological carrying capacity is an important factor of sustainable development for cities, and a critical part of achieving the coordinated development of the social economic and ecological environment for urban agglomerations. In order to evaluate the regional ecological carrying capacity and provide a basis for decision-making for regional sustainable development, this paper constructs an ecological carrying capacity model for the urban agglomeration from two dimensions: ecological carrying elastic force and ecological carrying pressure. The analytic hierarchy process is utilized to determine the weights of nine indices in these two dimensions. For the Yangtze River urban agglomeration, the comprehensive index of its ecological carrying capacity is investigated quantitatively, and the spatial distribution map of its comprehensive index measuring ecological carrying capacity is computed. The results show that Nanjing, Yangzhou, Taizhou, and Changzhou are in the stage of high load carrying; Suzhou, Wuxi, Nantong, and Zhenjiang are in the stage of low load carrying. In addition, the environmental protection investment has the greatest impact on ecological carrying elastic force, followed by the proportion of the tertiary industry; wastewater discharge has the greatest impact on ecological carrying pressure. The level of ecological carrying capacity varies within the region. It is necessary to take measures to increase the ecological carrying elastic force and reduce the ecological carrying pressure according to the actual conditions in each region. Meanwhile, exchanges and cooperation between different regions should be strengthened to stimulate the coordinated and sustainable development.

Evolution and Driving Mechanism of Ecological Security Pattern: A Case Study of Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration

“…The YRUA covers 8 cities along the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province: Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou, Yangzhou, Taizhou, and Nantong. The 51 000‐km 2 area is home to nearly 50 million people, and it has an economic scale of 6 trillion yuan and a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of more than 1 210 000 yuan; however, the industrial development model of high energy consumption, high pollution, high emissions, and low returns has not fundamentally changed (Xia and Zhu 2018; Wang et al 2019). The high demand for resources and investment in social and economic development has caused problems such as regional ecological damage and environmental pollution (Zhang and Wen 2008).…”

Research on the Influencing Factors of Urban Ecological Carrying Capacity Based on a Multiscale Geographic Weighted Regression Model: Evidence from China

“…Scholars generally believe that it objectively reflects the self-regulation ability of the ecosystem and the ability to maintain ecological balance [13], and the endurance of an external disturbance, especially human activities [14]. It is seen as a comprehensive reflection of the material composition and structure of the ecological environment system [15]. In urban artificial ecosystems, there are energy sources, resource inputs, and waste discharges, which require urban ecosystems to provide support and adjust to urban development services.…”

Evaluation of Airport Environmental Carrying Capacity: A Case Study in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China

“…In China, more and more scholars pay attention to the extension of environmental carrying capacity in different fields and have achieved some results. For example, many studies in China have found the ecological carrying capacity in various aspects [21][22][23]; however, there is limited literature that focuses on the evaluation of airport environmental carrying capacity.…”