Abstract: This paper studied the dynamics of ecological footprints(EF),degree of sustainable development and its tendency of Hexi oasis agricultural region in Gansu.The results showed that the EF displayed an increasing trend from 0.426 hm² to 2.158 hm² in 1949～2000,which was 0.693 hm² in 1949～1970,1.029 hm² in 1975～1980,and 2.288 hm² in 1985～2000.The ecological capacity (EC)was also increased from 0.550 hm² in 1949 to 1.762 hm² in 2000.Comparing with EF,the EC increased at low speed,which reached 0.782 hm² in 1949～1970 and 1.715 hm² in 1975～2000.Meanwhile,the sustainable development of Hexi region maintained ecological remainder during 1949～1975.However,it emerged ecological deficit in 1980,and resumed in 1985.The sustainable development of Hexi region has been successive ecological deficit since 1991.The degree was keeping negative increment at acceleration,and got to -0258 hm² in 1991～2000.These results showed that the regional economic development of Hexi region was far away from sustainable development,and was in no-sustainable state.

Key words: Hexi oasis, Ecological footprints, Ecological capacity, Ecological surplus/deficit, Sustainable development