Abstract
Our study assesses the impact of commodity imports into the Czech Republic of land conversion in the countries of origin of primary agriculture and forestry commodities (exporting countries). The land use change is considered to be one of the key drivers of ecosystem degradation.
Due to human demands on natural resources change affects integrity of terrestrial ecosystems, which is a prerequisite for the sustainability of ecosystem services. Natural capital is the limiting factor of the human development and sustainability .The severity of negative impacts increases and quantification of international trade-flows is required to minimize or completely remove the adverse effects (Würtenberger et al., 2006) Since the functioning of socio-economic metabolism every country uses sources from other countries for consumption.
Using land area for commodity production may influence the original land cover by deforestation or other conversion. International trade is one of the main drivers of ecosystem conversion, with the main causes of cultivation of agricultural crops or change in pasture management.
The volume of trade of agricultural goods increases and comprehensive social and environmental consequences of trade are poorly integrated into state policy. One reason of research is a lack of concepts and impact assessment .