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Comparative Study of Environmental Assessment Methods in the Evaluation of Resources and Environmental Carrying Capacity—A Case Study in Xinjiang, China

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  • Zhiping Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Fuqiang Xia

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Degang Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Yufang Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Tianyi Cai

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Rongwei Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China)

Abstract

Scientifically assessing the environmental carrying capacity (ECC) based on an evaluation of environmental quality standards (EQSs) holds great significance for establishing a long-term monitoring and early warning mechanism for resources and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) and for coordinating the sustainable development of ecological environments and regional economies. However, it remains unclear whether the evaluation of EQSs based on the short board effect is suitable for environmental assessments under different natural environments. In this research, Xinjiang is used as a case study. Based on the evaluation of EQSs, the atmospheric environmental carrying capacity (AECC), water environmental carrying capacity (WECC) and comprehensive environmental carrying capacity (CECC) are assessed using the short board effect and the weighted average. Additionally, the suitability of ECC evaluation in RECC evaluation is discussed. The results show the following: (1) In the atmosphere, the overload of inhalable particles (PM 10 ) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is more serious, while in water, the overload of total nitrogen (TN) is more serious. (2) The percentages of the AECC, WECC and CECC in overloaded counties and cities based on the short board effect are 84%, 45%, and 51%, respectively, while the percentages based on the weighted average are 32%, 6% and 7%, respectively. (3) The extreme effects of a single pollutant can be eliminated by the weighted average, which is more suitable for environmental assessments in Xinjiang. (4) In evaluating RECC monitoring and early warning systems, weighted average evaluation is used to assess the elements, and short board effect evaluation is used in the comprehensive integration to prevent the influence of the amplification of a single index. Thus, the interference of non-key factors in the regional system on the final evaluation results is reduced.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiping Zhang & Fuqiang Xia & Degang Yang & Yufang Zhang & Tianyi Cai & Rongwei Wu, 2019. "Comparative Study of Environmental Assessment Methods in the Evaluation of Resources and Environmental Carrying Capacity—A Case Study in Xinjiang, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:17:p:4666-:d:261492
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guiyou Zhang & Shuai Luo & Zhuowei Jing & Shuo Wei & Youhua Ma, 2020. "Evaluation and Forewarning Management of Regional Resources and Environment Carrying Capacity: A Case Study of Hefei City, Anhui Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Xinhao Min & Yanning Wang & Jun Chen, 2022. "Resource Carrying Capacity Evaluation Based on Fuzzy Evaluation: Validation Using Karst Landscape Region in Southwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Shengxin Lan & Xiaona Wang & Meifang Li & Xiaohua Fu & Mei Xu & Jian Zhu & Ping Wang & Yu Mao & Zuoji Dong & Jiahui Li & Lanfang Cao & Zhiming Liu, 2023. "Early Warning Evaluation and Warning Trend Analysis of the Resource and Environment Carrying Capacity in Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, June.
    4. Hui Zou & Xiaohua Ma, 2021. "Identifying resource and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China: the perspectives of spatial differences and sustainable development," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14775-14798, October.

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