Quantifying the ecological carrying capacity of grasslands in Inner Mongolia

Quantifying the ecological carrying capacity has emerged as a crucial factor for maintaining ecosystem stability for sustainable development in vulnerable eco-regions. Here, we propose a new framework for ecological carrying capacity quantification suitable for vulnerable eco-regions. We applied this framework to calculate the ecological carrying capacity of Inner Mongolia from 1987–2015 and used a geographical detector to identify the driving factors behind spatial heterogeneity. Our results revealed the following. (1) The above-ground net primary production (ANPP) required to support the ecosystem service of soil conservation (ANPP(SC)) decreased from northeast to southwest, whereas the distribution pattern of ANPP required to support the ecosystem service of sand fixation (ANPP(SF)) exhibited a contrary trend. The average annual ANPP required to support the ecosystem service of natural regeneration (ANPP(NR)) in Inner Mongolia from 1987 to 2015 was 101.27 gCm(-2)year(-1), revealing a similar spatial distribution with ANPP. (2) The total ecological carrying capacity of Inner Mongolian grassland was 78.52 million sheep unit hm(-2). The regions with insufficient provisioning service capability accounted for 4.18% of the total area, primarily concentrated in the east and northwest. (3) The average optimal livestock number for grasslands in Inner Mongolia was 1.59 sheep unit hm(-2) from 1987–2015, ranging from 0.77 to 1.69 sheep unit hm(-2) across different zones. The average ecological carrying capacity of the cold temperate humid, medium-temperate arid, and warm temperate semi-humid regions was less than 1.08 sheep unit m(-2), suggesting a need to prohibit grazing in these areas. (4) The primary influencing factors affecting ecological carrying capacity distribution were normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), precipitation, and soil type. The framework developed herein can help identify sustainable development potential from the ecosystem service perspective and effectively contribute to decision-making in grassland ecosystem management.