To date, various studies have analyzed changes in the landscape but there are few studies which have explored landscape processes and the corresponding driving factors. This study makes up for this deficiency in the systematic theoretical exposition and the spatiotemporal analysis of landscape processes. The results show that the amount of arable land outflow and built-up land inflow have resulted in an increase of 92,311.11 ha of built-up land that is mostly distributed around the administrative center and along the coast of Jiaozhou Bay. The outflow of ecological land is a major resource for replenishing arable land, by 37,016.19 ha, especially in terms of the grassland that is distributed in the hilly areas west of Jiaozhou Bay. The outflow of the salt-field, fish-farm and ecological land outflow have good connectivity, a large patch size, and an irregular shape. The ecological type, elevation, slope, and vegetation coverage are the four factors that have a great influence on all landscape processes. A gentler slope and lower elevation, and proximity to cities and towns land will produce more arable land outflow and built-up land inflow. However, arable land inflow and ecological land outflow are the opposite. This research will guide natural resource management for a rapidly developing coastal zone.
