Sustainability assessment for an offshore coral reef island based on scenario simulation and emergy analysis

As the intensity of ocean spatial exploitation increases, offshore island tourism has been thriving, and utilization uninhabited islands is attracting more attention. In order to achieve sustainable development resources, it important evaluate population carrying capacity conduct sustainability assessment for islands. To this end, we proposed a quantitative evaluation method coral reef based on combination scenario simulation emergy analysis. This was tested in South China Sea, namely Lingyang Reef. The dynamics related structures indicators Reef system were revealed under different scenarios, providing decision-making references pre-development an island. results showed that (1) when accommodating 2000 persons, low-load state, with values terms renewable energy input percentage, environmental load ratio, index, except critical state yield ratio; (2) 5000 ratio unsustainable index both percentage states, indicating socioeconomic activities not beyond capacity, moderate; (3) 10000 corresponding human had exceeded capacity.