Abstract: It was of great significance to explore the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and driving mechanism of landscape ecological risks in the Yellow River Basin (Henan section) to promote the ecological protection and sustainable development of the basin. Based on multi-period land use data, a landscape ecological risk assessment model was constructed using the landscape pattern index to analyze the spatio-temporal variation of landscape ecological risk in the basin. The driving factors of landscape ecological risk were analyzed using a geographic detector. The results showed that from 1990 to 2020, the overall landscape pattern in the study area was characterized by reduced fragmentation, decreased heterogeneity, more regular patch shapes, and a more balanced distribution of landscape elements. The risk levels in the study area were predominantly medium-low and medium, indicating a general improvement in landscape ecological risk. Ecological risk showed a tendency to decrease over time in the western regions, while it increased in the mid-eastern region. Natural factors had a greater impact on landscape ecological risk than social factors, with rainfall and elevation being the primary influencing factors. The interaction of factors significantly enhanced the spatial differentiation characteristics of landscape ecological risk.

Key words: landscape ecological risks, land use, geographical detection, Yellow River Basin (Henan section)