Impacts of Urbanization of Mountainous Areas on Resources and Environment: Based on Ecological Footprint Model

Yu Ding,Jian Peng

doi:10.3390/su10030765

Yu Ding, Jian Peng

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030765

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Mar 11, 2018
Citations: 37	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Peking University, Beijing Jiaotong University

Abstract

The rapid urbanization has exerted tremendous pressure on natural systems in mountains. As a measure of sustainable use of natural resources, ecological footprint is an important basis for judging whether the development of a country or region is within the bio-capacity. Taking Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture as an example, this study comprehensively analyzes the impact of human activities on mountain resources and environment from the three aspects of urbanization, land use and ecological carrying capacity. The results show that Dali Prefecture with the urbanization rate of 33% is still in the accelerated stage of urbanization. The urban space presents the core-periphery feature, and the central city is the focus of human existence and living activities. The per capita ecological footprint is 1.14 ha higher than the ecological carrying capacity, meaning Dali Prefecture has an ecological deficit. This indicates that there is an uncoordinated state between urbanization and environment. Arable land is the main source of per capita ecological footprint in the prefecture. However, the urban expansion overly occupies the arable land in the plain sub-region, leading the arable land to an ecological deficit state. In the future, the development of the mountainous area should focus on the protection of arable land and choose a new sustainable path.

Highlights

Urbanization is a worldwide phenomenon after the industrial revolution and a product of the development of modern industry and technological progress [1,2]
In order to understand the impact of mountain urbanization on resources and environment, Dali Prefecture of Yunnan Province was selected for observation
Industrialization and urbanization often lead to greater ecological footprint (EF) challenges, which are the stage that developed countries have experienced

Summary

Introduction

Urbanization is a worldwide phenomenon after the industrial revolution and a product of the development of modern industry and technological progress [1,2]. A modern city does serve as a place for gathering elements of population and consumption, and plays a leading role in social production and environmental pollution through the agglomeration [3,4]. With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the impact of human beings on natural resources has been gradually increased. The global crisis such as the shortage of resources and the deterioration of the environment has become a problem mankind has to face. If these problems are ignored and unsolved, they will further restrict the progress of human civilization. As China is a country with a large population and relatively fragile resources and environment, it’s important to coordinate the relationship between urban development and the utilization of environment

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Conclusion