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[A modified method of ecological footprint and its application]
1Department of Environmental Economics, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China. shuyuwang@163.com
Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao = the Journal of Applied Ecology
|December 8, 2007
Summary
A modified ecological footprint method accurately measures cropland area by incorporating multi-cropping indices. This refinement provides a more precise assessment of resource use and ecological capacity in regional analyses.
Area of Science:
- Ecological economics
- Environmental science
- Resource management
Context:
- The conventional Wackernagel's ecological footprint method overestimates land use by assuming single annual cropping.
- This assumption does not align with the concept of ecological footprint representing productive land area.
Purpose:
- To modify the cropland footprint calculation by integrating the multi-cropping index.
- To accurately assess the ecological footprint as the actual cropland area, not multi-cropped area.
Summary:
- The modified method was applied to Binhai and Funing counties, Jiangsu Province (1995-2003).
- Results show reduced ecological footprints and cropland footprint percentages compared to the conventional method.
- The modified method provides a more precise reflection of natural resource utilization and eco-capacity.
Impact:
- The revised method offers a more accurate representation of cropland's contribution to the ecological footprint.
- It improves the precision of ecological footprint calculations, better reflecting actual land use and resource consumption.
- This enhances the ability to assess and manage regional ecological economic systems more effectively.
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