ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES LAND IN CIREBON REGENCY, INDONESIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CARRYING CAPACITY

Abstract

Responding to the escalating ecological pressure resulting from rapid population growth and land conversion on agricultural and fishery resources in Indonesia, this study evaluates the ecological balance in Cirebon Regency, West Java, utilizing the Ecological Footprint (EF) approach, which compares biocapacity (ecological supply) with the ecological footprint (consumption demand) based on 2023 data. The main findings indicate that Cirebon currently enjoys an ecological surplus of 0.06485 global hectares (gha) per capita, signaling regional ecological sustainability largely driven by the agricultural sector, where its biocapacity (217,605.36 gha, or 0.09218 gha/capita) significantly exceeds its consumption footprint (71,174.90 gha, or 0.03015 gha/capita); although the fishery sector remains in surplus, its capacity is limited and vulnerable to future pressures. These findings conclude that agriculture plays a vital role in ensuring local food security, leading the study to recommend crucial interventions: protecting agricultural land from conversion, implementing sustainable farming systems, and promoting efficient aquaculture practices. Future research is advised to incorporate spatial analysis, temporal trends, and broader sectors such as energy and built-up land, to provide a more comprehensive assessment of regional sustainability.