Calculation of ecological footprint and analysis of sustainability for Beijing western mountainous areas in 1999

The per capita ecological footprint and biological capacity of Mentougou district in 1999 were calculated on the basis of the theory and model of ecological footprint. According to the calculation model of EF, it depends on the consumption level and the population, so different consumption levels were considered in this study. The population of Mentougou district was classified into two groups: rural residents and urban residents, and their ecological footprints were measured separately. Especially the footprint of the consumption of water and the drainage of sewage were computed for urban residents. On the other hand, the biological production land areas were obtained from the TM remote sensing image in 1999, then the per capita biological capacity was counted on them. Comparing the ecological footprint with biological capacity, Mentougou district was in ecological deficit, which meant it was unsustainable. On the basis of the analysis of different biological land, the reasons for the deficit were pointed out, and the suggestions, which strengthened the construction and maintenance of the local environment, were put forward to decrease the ecological deficit. According to the research on Mentougou, the advantages and disadvantages of ecological footprint for evaluating ecological sustainability of mountainous areas were concluded.