Analysis of Sustainable Utilization of Water Resources in Guangdong Province Based on Ecological Footprint Theory
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Abstract:
Based on the theory[1] of ecological footprint, the ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity of water resources in Guangdong Province were calculated and analyzed from 2005 to 2011 in aspect of the provincial, regional, and municipal scales. The results showed that (1) during the study period, the water resources ecological footprint per capita of Guangdong Province decreases continuously with a rate of 11.6%/a; (2) the water resources ecological footprint per 104 yuan GDP decreases annually, indicating the increasing of utilization of water resources; and (3) the water resources ecological carrying capacity is high in the provincial scale, which suggested the ecological surplus status and thus the utilization of water resources is sustainable. On the regional distribution, the ecological footprint was highest in the northern mountain area of Guangdong whereas lowest in eastern Guangdong. The water resources ecological pressure was highest in the Pearl River Delta region whereas the lowest in northern Guangdong. On the municipal distribution, the water resources ecological footprint per capita was higher in Shaoguan and Guangzhou than that in other cities, and the water ecological pressure in Foshan was the highest among all cities. In the process of socio-economic development, the industrial structure should be adjusted and the water use efficiency should be improved based on the status of sustainable utilization of water resources.