ABSTRACT
In order to reveal the differences and causes of regional sustainable development, the ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity of thirteen cities in Shaanxi Province were calculated and analyzed. The results showed that the ecological footprint of Xi’an is 4.04 × 108 hm2 and the biggest, Yangling is 0.30 × 107 hm2 and the smallest; the ecological carrying capacity of Weinan is the largest reached to 6.00 × 107 hm2 and Tongchuan, 0.77 × 107 hm2 is the smallest; six cities appear ecological deficit, of which Xi’an is the most serious reached to 3.89 × 108 hm2; five cities have ecological surplus, of which Hanzhong is the best having 2.65 × 107 hm2. The economy development of Shaanxi Province mainly relies on the contribution of mineral resources and land resources. The rich ecological areas have relatively large land and mineral resources. The ecological surplus areas with the low development intensity are superior in natural conditions. The intensity of regional land and mineral resources development is the subjective cause, while the uneven distribution of natural conditions and resource reserves is an objective reason for regional differences.
