Analyzing the spatial pattern of inter-provincial migration in relation to the ecological footprint of Iran's provinces

The presence of numerous cultural, geographical, economic and social differences leads to different consumption of resources and as a result different pressure on the environment. Ecological Footprint (EF) is one of the tools that tries to quantify human pressure on the environment. One of the main demographic components that can affect the trend and spatial pattern of the ecological footprint is migration. Identifying and analyzing the flow and spatial patterns of the ecological footprint of migration can help to identify the dynamics of the country's ecological footprint caused by migrations. Considering the important role of inter-provincial migration in the country's population dynamics, this study aims to analyze this importance and its effect on the overall flow and spatial pattern of the Iran's ecological footprint. To this end, secondary data was used to investigate the spatial flows and pattern of migration including first origin, first destination, as well as the spatial flows and pattern of the ecological footprint of migrants in the geographic information system. The obtained results showed that there was a specific spatial pattern regarding the first origin, the first destination and the spatial pattern of the ecological footprint of migration in the country. A spatial pattern that shows the polarity and role of the two industrial and developed provinces of the country (Tehran and Isfahan). In addition to having a high ecological footprint compared to the national average, the two provinces also attract migrants from other provinces.