biokapacitást

Biokapacitást, often translated as biocapacity, is a term used in ecological economics and sustainability studies. It refers to the amount of biologically productive land and sea area available to regenerate renewable resources and absorb waste products. Essentially, it measures a planet's or a region's capacity to produce biological resources and absorb its waste. This includes areas such as cropland, grazing land, forests, fishing grounds, and built-up land.

Biocapacity is typically expressed in global hectares (gha), which are hectares of biologically productive land with world-average productivity. This standardization allows for comparisons across different types of ecosystems and geographical areas. When biocapacity is compared to humanity's demand for resources, measured by ecological footprint, it helps determine whether a population or the planet as a whole is living within its ecological means.

If humanity's ecological footprint exceeds the Earth's biocapacity, it leads to an ecological deficit, meaning we are consuming resources faster than they can be regenerated and producing waste faster than it can be assimilated. This can result in environmental degradation, resource depletion, and other sustainability challenges. Conversely, if biocapacity exceeds the ecological footprint, there is an ecological reserve. Analyzing biocapacity is crucial for understanding the environmental limits of human activities and for developing sustainable practices.