Research on Ecological Environmental Carrying Capacity in Yellow River Delta

AbstractThe Yellow River Delta was selected as study area in this paper. Based on a comprehensive analysis of environmental capacity theory, environmental carrying capacity was studied using ecological footprint model, combining with the economic and social data of the Yellow River Delta from 2001-2008. The results showed that the ecological footprint per capita had increased two times from 2001-2008, which was from 0.1885 hm2 in 2001 to 0.4639 hm2 in 2008. The diversity of ecological footprint had changed slightly, and the ratio of biotic resources requirement was largest among all the other types. The development ability of ecosystem had a little improved. Environmental carrying capacity of the Yellow River Delta had increased. But compared to the increasing of ecological footprint, the increasing degree was not notable, and the ecological deficit increased obviously. The unsustainable development has already appeared from the analysis of ecological footprint index. Finally, some countermeasures were advanced in order to improve the environment situation of the Yellow River Delta, such as adjusting industrial structure through developing circulate economy vigorously, saving mine resources and protecting pasture environment through strengthening management, controlling the population and advocating sustainable life style