Assessing the impact of land use and land cover dynamics on ecological environment quality in the Inner Mongolia section of the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2023

The ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin constitute a major national strategy in China. As part of the upper reaches of the basin, the Inner Mongolia section plays a critical role in consolidating the ecological security barrier of northern China. Land Use and Land Cover Change (LUCC) is among the most significant factors influencing regional Ecological Environment Quality (EEQ). In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of LUCC and the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) to investigate the response of EEQ to LUCC in this region. The results indicate that: (1) From 2000 to 2023, grassland area expanded steadily, construction land increased significantly, while unused land decreased markedly; (2) The overall EEQ improved during the study period, with the most pronounced enhancements observed in the Hobq Desert and its southern adjacent areas; (3) EEQ experienced a decline between 2000 and 2005, followed by a recovery phase from 2005 to 2020, and a slight deterioration again from 2020 to 2023, suggesting a potential rebound effect in EEQ. These findings offer theoretical insights and practical references for ecological and environmental management in the Inner Mongolia segment of the Yellow River Basin.