Abstract: Equitable distribution and allocation efficiency of natural resources provide important foundation for the harmonious development between social economy and ecological environment. We evaluated the evolution characteristics of ecological environment and ecological pressure of Wuhan urban agglomeration in the last decade using ecological footprint method and three-dimensional ecological footprint model. We conducted a synergy analysis between ecological footprint and economic development by constructing ecological carrying coefficient and economy contributive coefficient with the Gini coefficient. The results showed that the ecological footprint per capita of Wuhan urban agglomeration increased at the early stage and then decreased. The ecological carrying capacity per capita was relatively stable, whereas an ecological deficit state was observed in Wuhan urban agglomeration. The ecological footprint depth and the ecological footprint size indicatedthat capital flow could not meet human demands for natural resources. The consumption of capital stock was a normal state of social economic development. The ecological demand and economic growth were well matched among different cities. Relatively higher economic contribution and lower ecological carrying contribution were observed in Wuhan, while the opposite were found in Huanggang and Xianning.

Key words: Wuhan urban agglomeration, ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity, Gini coefficient, economic contribution.