Study On Ecological Environment Sustainable Development In Northern Shaanxi Based On The Theory Of Ecological Footprint

The recourses of coal, oil, natural gas and halite are abounded in the north of Shaanxi Province which has a nice condition for developing energy and chemical industry. However the ecological environment is fragile because of locating in the middle of the loess plateau and most of the area included sand beach, upland and ravine. Developing energy and chemical industry in such a ecologically fragile area brings great pressure to the local environment. The large scale mining has resulted in deterioration of the local ecological environment, becoming a major problem of the sustainable development in this area. Therefore, solve the environmental problems is the key point in ensuring sustainable development of north of Shaanxi Province.In this paper, using the ecological footprint method, the sustainable development of North of Shaanxi Province energy and chemical base was studied to show the influence degree from the social and the production activities to the environment as well as the carrying capacity of environment. Based on the above, this paper analysesed the ecology and environmental sustainability in the north of Shaanxi Province. Specifically for the development of water scarcity in Northern constraints, this paper establishes ecological footprint model of water resources, and carries out the analysis and evaluation of the dynamic changes of ecological footprint in the north of Shaanxi Province from 1997 to 2006. The analysis above has revealed the social production of economic activity in the north of Shaanxi Province ecological environment, and how the current environment and future supply and demand trends. On this basis, decreasing the ecological footprint, improving ecological carrying capacity, building the appropriate framework be raised.The following are the basic conclusions of this article:1. During 1997 to 2006, the total ecological footprint in the north of Shaanxi Province increased from 7,659,000 hm2 in 1997 to 17,353,100 hm2 in 2006, which increased 227%. We can find that from the composition of ecological footprint, fossil energy made the largest proportion of the total ecological footprint in the 10 years. This shows that the key of the control of energy consumption is to reduce the ecological footprint.2. From 1997 to 2006, the ecological carrying capacity of the north of Shaanxi Province changed a lot,10-year low point is 3.2998 million hm2, the highest point is 4,313,100 hm2. That means the ecological carrying capacity is instability, influenced by environmental fluctuations. In this area, ecological capacity primarily comes from farmland, woodland and grassland composition. The total value accounted for 93.22% of ecological carrying capacity in 10 years. But the figure of this three items are lower than the world average, Mainly due to harsh natural conditions in Northern and mineral resource development on the ecological destruction of the environment, therefore, the improvement of agricultural productivity and protection of ecological environment protection is the only way to protect and improve the sustainable development in the north of Shaanxi Province.3. From 1997 to 2006, this area has been in a state of ecological deficit, From 7.659 million hm2 in 1997 increased to 17,353,100 hm2 in 2006, an increase of nearly 2.3 times. This shows as the energy and chemical base the energy and mineral resources exploitation and utilization of the ecological environment is enormous pressure. At present the region's development is not sustainable. By comparing ecological deficit of different land types, We find to increase by a single land area of bio-energy production to reduce the ecological deficit is not feasible. Ecological deficit need more regional scale and reduction in areas such as ecological compensation.4. Using Grey Prediction Model, we can predict per capita ecological footprint in 2020 in the north of Shaanxi Province will reach 7.774 hm2/person, the ecological carrying capacity reach 0.670 hm2/ person, Ecological deficit will reach 7.104 hm2, With the economic development pressure on the ecological environment will increase.5. Million GDP ecological footprint, a Million GDP ecological deficit started a downward trend in 1999 in the north of Shaanxi Province. Show that the energy and chemical base in this area resource efficiency to be risen. It also show economic development of our industry can greatly improve the efficiency of resource use.6. Ecological footprint diversity index in the north of Shaanxi Province have overall downward trend from 1997 to 2006, average annual rate is 0.031. during this time Ulanowicz development capacity index has a overall upward trend, with an average annual rate of 0.049. This showed that the economic development in this area relied mainly on the growth of ecological footprint. Relying on to improve ecological footprint to meet the economic development is unstable In the context of limited ecological capacity.That will lead to further increase the ecological deficit and the seriously damaged of the ecological system.7.Using the principal component analysis and multiple regression methods to analyze the impact factor of ecological footprint in the north of Shaanxi Province, found main factors affect the ecological footprint are non-agricultural population and the proportion of GDP, the proportion of tertiary industry. This shows that the number of non-agricultural population as growing consumer demand and makes change in consumption patterns, Stimulating the development of tertiary industry, led the economic development of the entire regional system, thereby increasing the region's ecological needs of natural resources, it takes up more resources and energy.8.This paper using ecological footprint method,analysis of the ecological footprint of water resources in the north of Shaanxi Province. From 1997 to 2006, per capita ecological deficit of water resources increased from 9.42x10-4hm2/person in 1997 to 22.01×10-4hm2/person in 2006, per capita ecological deficit increased 2 times in 10 years.That caused great threat to sustainable development. Therefore, the limited water resources has to be rationally and effectively used for sustainable development in this area.9. Based on the above analysis,this paper laid out Strategy for sustainable development of ecological environment in the north of Shaanxi Province, including:ecological and environmental protection system, construction, improving agricultural productivity, the construction of sustainable economy and comprehensive ecological treatment and recovery, sustainable use of water resources and development of sustainable society.