Development of an ecological security evaluation method based on the ecological footprint and application to a typical steppe region in China

The steppes of Inner Mongolia lie in a region which are sensitive to global climate change. The region forms an important ecological barrier against sandstorms and it is also strategically important for the development of China's energy and mineral resources. To describe the influence of resources exploitation on the ecological security of the typical Inner Mongolian steppe, we developed a consumption footprint pressure index (CFPI) and a production footprint pressure index (PFPI) based on the ecological footprint concept, and developed an ecological footprint contribution index (EFCI) to assess the pressures created by transferring resources and products from output areas to input areas. Using these indices, we developed a coupled ecological security assessment model to evaluate the ecological security level of the typical steppe. We used the model to calculate CFPI, PFPI, and EFCI for the steppe area for three counties and one urban region of Inner Mongolia from 2001 to 2010. We found that CFPI and PFPI increased throughout the study period in most regions. In addition, EFCI was generally positive, which indicated the ecological security of the typical steppe was affected primarily by the electricity and production output processes. Our results suggest that the ecological security of the study area has been at serious risk since 2005.