Abstract:

Research on the watershed ecological carrying capacity is an effective measure of settling sustainable development problem at basin scale from the perspective of water ecology in recent years.Through reviewing on previous literature,the origination and development of aquatic ecological carrying capacity in the basin are discussed;the theoretical foundation and previous related research are investigated;the further research is forecasted.Originally,the theory of carrying capacity is the foundation of the research;the theory of sustainable development and ecological footprint are the objectives;the theory of watershed ecology is the support.In the research progress,water ecological carrying capacity is the dynamic integration and deepening of water resource and environment carrying capacity.From the perspective of estimation and assessment,approaches in evaluating ecological carrying capacity such as net primary production,ecological footprint,sustainable development and the health of ecological system are the primary approaches of measuring,which is the basis of estimating watershed ecological carrying capacity.Currently,the research on the aquatic ecological carrying capacity in the basin is at the initial stage.In the future,it should better reflect the fundamental aim of the harmonious coexistence between human and nature and the dialectical integration of quality and quantity.Meanwhile,the employment of the research approach which integrates material,energy,information,time and space is expected to make the research on the aquatic ecological carrying capacity in the basin more practical.