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

Yening Wang,Yuanmao Zheng,Haowei Wang,Yuantong Jiang

doi:10.3390/su11072002

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.

Highlights

With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, population expansion, resource shortage, environmental pollution and ecological destruction have become prominent in recent decades
Due to higher equivalence factors of cropland, ecological footprint size (EFsize) in Alxa League was the highest, decreasing from 64.26 hm2/cap to 41.11 hm2/cap; EFsize values for Hulunbuir, Xilin Gol, Banyannur and Erdos were higher than the average of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR), with different fluctuation ranges
In different cities/leagues, the results indicated a state of ecological surplus/deficit; most of them held relatively high ecological pressure, even considering the potential productivity of technology

Summary

Introduction

With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, population expansion, resource shortage, environmental pollution and ecological destruction have become prominent in recent decades. EF represents the natural capital and ecosystem service requirements of a given population in terms of biologically productive areas. The area of EF depends on the population size, material living standards, ecological productivity and technology level [2]. On the supply side, ecological carrying capacity (EC) represents the renewing ability of ecosystems to produce useful biological materials and to absorb wastes generated by humans using current management and technologies. ‘Ecological surplus’ (ES) refers to the case where EF is lower than EC In this case, we can export surplus resources to promote regional economic growth. Overshoot that occurs is called ‘ecological deficit’ (ED). Under this circumstance, sustainable development can only be maintained by importing resources or consuming local natural capital stock

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion