Abstract: This paper calculated the 2003-2005 ecological footprints in Liaoning Province and its six coastal cities (Huludao, Jinzhou, Panjin, Yingkou, Dalian and Dandong), analyzed the dynamic changes and their causes of the footprints, and evaluated the situation of the sustainable development in the study region. It was indicated that in 2003-2005, the ecological footprints in Liaoning Province and its six coastal cities exceeded the corresponding ecological capacity, and the per capita ecological deficit was increased annually. Of the six coastal cities, the per capita ecological deficit in Panjin was the highest, followed by Jinzhou, Huludao, Yingkou, Dandong, and Dalian. The land with fossil energy sources was the main demand of ecological footprint in the study region, while water area had a higher ecological surplus. The GDP per ten thousand yuan in 2003-2005 presented an overall downward trend, indicating that the resource use efficiency in Liaoning Province and its six coastal cities was improved gradually. The measures for reducing the ecological deficit were also proposed.

Key words: Artificial grassland, Grassland degradation, Restoration, Phytoecology