Ecological Footprints and Energy

biocapacity The potential productivity of the biologically productive space within a specified country, region, or territory. biologically productive space Areas of land and water capable of supporting photosynthesis at sufficient rates to provide economically useful concentrations of biomass. Marginal and unproductive regions, such as deserts, tundra, and the deep oceans, are excluded. The global biologically productive space totals 11.4 billion ha. ecological deficit The amount by which the ecological footprint of a population (e.g., a country or region) exceeds the biocapacity of the space available to that population. ecological footprint A measure of how much biocapacity a population, organization, or process requires to produce its resources and absorb its waste using prevailing technology. ecological overshoot Ecological deficit met through the overexploitation of resources or accumulation of waste. William Catton defines the term as ‘‘growth beyond an area’s carrying capacity, leading to crash.’’ embodied energy The energy used during a product’s entire life cycle for manufacture, transport, operation, and/or disposal. global hectare One hectare of biologically productive space with world-average productivity. productivity A measurement of the potential rate of biological production of a given area. Various indicators can be used to weight productivity, including agricultural suitability, potential net primary production, and useful biomass extraction.