Ecological Risk Assessment of HuBaoE Area in Inner Mongolia based on Ecological Footprint Analyses

Based on the theory, method and model of ecological footprint, this paper measured and analyzed the ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity, ecological deficit, ecological pressure index and ecological risk degree in Huhhot, Baotou and Erdos from 1990 to 2010. The results show: (1) The per capita ecological footprint has sustained growth in HuBaoE area since 1990, among which the highest ecological footprint is Erdos, while Baotou takes second place and Hohhot is the minimum. (2) The per capita ecological carrying capacity in Hohhot has continued to decline during 21 years, while that in Baotou and Erdos has gradually risen; the ecological carrying capacity of Erdos is the highest, while that of Hohhot is second, and that of Baotou is the lowest. (3) Hohhot has been ecological surplus during the study period, but its value decreased gradually; Baotou and Erdos transformed to ecological deficit from ecological surplus in 2004 and 2009 respectively, which shows that they are in ecologically unsustainable stage. (4) The ecological pressure index continued to rise in HuBaoE area in recent years, the ecological risk degree gradually increased. At present, Hohhot is in intermediate state of ecological risk, while Baotou and Erdos has been in the advanced state of ecological risk.