Ecological Footprints in Plural: A Meta-analytic Comparison of Empirical Results

Ecological footprints in plural: a meta-analytic comparison of empiricalresults, Regional Studies 38, 747–765. The concept of an ecological footprint is intriguing and has prompted an avalanche oftheoretical and applied research. In recent publications both the scientific basis and the policy relevance of this concept havebeen given ample attention, while also much empirical work has been undertaken to assess the value of the ecological footprintin different regions or countries of the world. The paper starts with a concise critical overview of the current discussion onecological footprints. Its main aim, however, is to provide a meta-analytic assessment and interpretation of the various empiricalfindings in the recent literature that offer estimated values or ranges of the ecological footprint indicator. The sensitivity ofecological footprints for the stringent assumptions made in the calculation schemes is investigated using frequency analyses,cross-tabulation methods and decision-tree induction methods (a recent technique based on pattern recognition methods). Theresults show that methodological choice, geographical scales and year of data collection offer a significant explanation forvariations in results. The paper concludes with some suggestions for further research.