Research progress on environmental carrying capacity
Wang, J.; Sun, T.; Li, P.; Li, F.
Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 16(4): 768-772
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1001-9332 PMID: 16011185 Document Number: 584376
To study the theories and quantification methods of environmental carrying capacity is of significance in reality for directing human beings economic behaviors and harmonizing the relationships between social development and environment. In this paper, the definition of environmental carrying capacity was introduced from the aspects of "capacity", "threshold" and "capability", with the main characteristics of objective and subjective, regional and temporal, and dynamic and adjustable, and its research progress was reviewed. On the basis of these, the quantification methods of environmental carrying capacity, including exponential assessment, carrying rate assessment, system dynamics, and multi-objective optimization, were analyzed, and the research perspectives of environmental carrying capacity were discussed.