Dynamic changes of landscape pattern in Coastal Urban Belt in Liaoning

Based on field investigation and social-economical data, in combination with the 1992 and 2007 Landsat TM remote sensing images of Coastal Urban Belt in Liaoning, this paper analyzed the dynamic changes of landscape pattern at both class and landscape levels and their driving forces in the study area. From 1992 to 2007, the landscape pattern in the study area experienced a significant change. At class level, the area of farmland, forestland, wetland, grassland, and abandoned land decreased, while the area of residential area, salt pan, and water area increased. At landscape level, both total number of patches and patch density increased significantly, while the largest patch index decreased, and the complication of landscape shape intensified.