Customized municipal ecological footprint analysis: a case study of Arcata, California
Graduation Date
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation, 2008
Committee Chair Name
Michael D. Smith
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Ecological footprint, Humboldt Bay, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation
Abstract
This thesis seeks to develop a procedure for evaluating the sustainability of Arcata, California and Humboldt State University (HSU) based on the Ecological Footprint (EF), a leading sustainability indicator. Building on two complimentary methods for calculating footprints for sub-national geographic areas, this thesis discusses conceptual and methodological implications and suggests improvements for enhancing the clarity and applicability of customized EF studies. I analyzed three study groups: Arcata residents, HSU, and Arcata and HSU combined. Based on the customized methodology, Arcata residents had a per capita EF of 8.18 global hectares in the year 2000; members of the HSU community had a per capita EF of 1.14 global hectares; and the combined communites of Arcata and HSU had a per capita EF of 8.69 global hectares. This methodology, while not directly comparable to other EF studies, is most effective for analyzing Arcata as a single unit while providing the most relevant data for local planning and sustainability strategies.
Recommended Citation
Kinghorn, Sean C., "Customized municipal ecological footprint analysis: a case study of Arcata, California" (2008). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 1983.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/1983
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/7p88cj88w