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Yafei Wang

Visiting research fellow

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资源环境承载能力百年研究的系统综述

A systematic review of centenary studies on natural resources and environmental carrying capacity

Author

  • Yafei Wang
  • Jie Fan

Summary, in English

Carrying capacity, a concept entrenched in the natural resources and environmental field for nearly two centuries, has continually evolved to address the conflicts and sustainability of the human- nature relationship. This paper introduces an analytical framework for understanding carrying capacity within the context of the human- nature relationship. It systematically reviews the progression of international carrying capacity studies, analyzes global research trends, and compares these with Chinese studies, highlighting key research directions in China. Historically, carrying capacity traces its roots to (neo)Malthusian theories. Its evolution spans four distinct stages: resource carrying capacity (since the 1800s), environmental carrying capacity (since the 1970s), ecosystem carrying capacity (since the 1990s), and natural system carrying capacity (since the 2010s). The concept of carrying capacity varies widely across global disciplines and even within the same discipline, showcasing diverse applications. Carrying capacity has sparked controversy due to its connection to political economy theories and factors such as technological progress, market mechanisms, and spatial and temporal constraints. Therefore, it is imperative to engage in a restrained and explicit discussion and application of carrying capacity. Presently, China's carrying capacity studies align closely with the international community, capitalizing on regional-scale studies employing a holistic and systematic human-nature relationship approach. However, there is an opportunity for enhancement in terms of global-scale perspectives and the integration of natural and social sciences theories and methodologies. This paper proposes fostering innovation and application in carrying capacity research within the Chinese context. This entails integrating various disciplines and theories, exploring scale effects and mechanisms, utilizing model- data fusion and integration, applying case studies in various spatial units and typical zone types, and improving policy systems and institutions.

Department/s

  • LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)

Publishing year

2023-11

Language

Chinese

Pages

2679-2693

Publication/Series

Dili Xuebao/Acta Geographica Sinica

Volume

78

Issue

11

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Science Press

Topic

  • Earth and Related Environmental Sciences

Keywords

  • human- nature relationship
  • planetary boundaries
  • spatial governance
  • sustainable transformation
  • the limits to growth

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0375-5444