Analysis and Calculation on the Ecological Footprint in the Tropic and Subtropical Mountain Areas of South China——A Case Study in Meijiang

The index systems and evaluation methods of sustainable development are currently the hot research domains in the world.The ecological footprint analysis evaluates human activity effect on the global ecosystem by quantifying the biological productive areas necessary to maintain human survival.After a brief review of the ecological footprint concept and calculation method,the ecological footprint of Meijiang county for 2003 is calculated and analyzed.The result indicates that:(1) the ecological footprint demand of Meijiang county is 0.958 3 hm~2/cap,while the ecological footprint supply is only 0.226 7 hm~2/cap,the ecological deficit is 0.731 5 hm~2/cap;(2)larger portion of the footprint demand and deficit result from the consumption of fishing ground,fossil energy land,cropland and pasture.However,there is a modest surpluses of forest occurred in Meijiang county,which showing that the ecological footprint of the present region in terms of human activities has already exceeded the benchmark of system ecological carrying capacity,the structure and functions of regional eco-economic system must be adjusted.Furthermore,the per capita ecological deficit reveals that the relationship between man and land is more intense.Finally,based on the components and geographical distribution of ecological footprint,strategic policy implications are outlined for Meijiang county's development towards a sustainable future.