Research progress on evaluation frameworks of regional ecological sustainability

Abstract

As natural ecosystems provide the material basis and fundamental support for regional sustainable development, the sustainability of natural ecosystems is an important prerequisite and a viable approach for the achievement of regional sustainable development. It is also the final criteria to assess whether sustainable development paradigm is successful. Along with the increasing impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems, the evaluation of regional ecological sustainability has become one of the key issues for research on macro ecology and sustainable development. Based on different unit of indicators, this study firstly groups the evaluation frameworks of regional ecological sustainability into three major types: comprehensive index evaluation with dimensionless unit, monetary valuation, and biophysical quantity measurement. We then discuss and compare these types in terms of basic principles, scope of applications, advantages and shortcomings. Finally, drawn on the discussion about characteristics of ecological sustainability, we outline the current trend and future directions of regional ecological sustainability evaluation, for instance, transition from sustainable development evaluation to sustainability science, integration of goal-oriented and problem-solving approaches, combination of spatial pattern analysis and ecological sustainability evaluation, and enhancement of ecological sustainability evaluation at landscape scale.

Evaluation of temporal and spatial changes of global ecosystem health

“…The material basis of life, that is, ecological services needed for the survival and development of human society, are provided by natural ecosystems (Peng, Wang, Wu, Shen, & Pan, 2011). The sustainability of human social development is based on healthy ecosystems (Peng et al, 2011).…”

Linking ecosystem services and landscape patterns to assess urban ecosystem health: A case study in Shenzhen City, China

“…Natural ecosystems provide both the material basis and ecological services for the subsistence and development of human society, and healthy ecosystem can ensure the sustainability of human development (Peng, Wang, Wu, Shen, & Pan, 2011). However, the health of the Earth's ecosystems is in a downward spiral, and monitoring the health of ecosystems is thus necessary A healthy ecosystem can be classically defined in terms of three main features: vigor, resilience, and organization (Costanza, 1992).…”

Linking spatial differentiation with sustainability management: Academic contributions and research directions of physical geography in China

“…As a subject of practical relevance, the frontier of physical geography is driven by both development of the discipline and by social demands. Therefore, physical geography should always develop around actual international and domestic needs, focus on the core objectives of sustainable development, and apply its own disciplinary characteristics to make genuine contributions to the construction of a community that has a shared future for mankind (Peng et al, 2011).…”