Sustainable Development Capability in the Huangshui River Basin in Qinghai Province Based on Analyzing the Ecological Footprint

Abstract

Based on the ecological footprint theory and calculation method,in this paper the ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity in the Huangshui River Basin in Qinghai Province during the period from 2000 to 2005 are estimated.The results show that the per capita ecological footprint was gradually increased from 1.426 5 hm2 in 2000 to 1.659 6 hm2 in 2005,the per capita ecological carrying capacity was decreased from 1.116 8 hm2 in 2000 to 1.056 9 hm2 in 2005,the per capita ecological deficit was increased from 0.443 8 hm2 in 2000 to 0.729 5 hm2 in 2005,and the ecological pressure index was increased from 1.45 in 2000 to 1.78 in 2005.All these facts reveal a downtrend of ecological status.It is predicted that the per capita ecological deficit and the ecological pressure index will be increased to 0.943 2 hm2 and 2.07 respectively in 2010,and the ecology in the Huangshui River Basin will be in an extreme insecurity if the current development mode is not changed.Moreover,with the increase of diversity index of ecological footprint from 1.03 in 2000 to 1.29 in 2005,the ecological footprint of ten thousand yuan GDP was decreased from 2.702 3 hm2 in 2000 to 2.215 6 hm2 in 2005,the development capacity was increased from 1.46 in 2000 to 2.14 in 2005,and it is predicted that the development capacity will be increased to 2.71 in 2010.Some measures and countermeasures are put forward for achieving sustainable development in the Huangshui River Basin based on the sustainable development theory.