Abstract: By using GIS, RS, and the theories and methodologies of landscape ecology, the 1992, 2000, and 2007 Landsat TM remote sensing images of Coastal Economic Development zone in Jinzhou Bay were interpreted, and the dynamic changes of landscape pattern in the zone were analyzed at both class and landscape levels. From 1992 to 2007, the landscape pattern in the zone had a significant change. At landscape level, the total number of patches increased significantly, patch density was increasing, while the largest patch index decreased, with the landscape shape tended to be much more complicated. At class level, the areas of cropland, woodland, and abandoned land decreased, patch numbers and fragmentation increased, and connectivity became weak. On the other hand, the areas of urban land, residential land, traffic land, and mining land, as well as the perimeter-area fractal dimension index increased, and the connectivity intensified. The rapid population growth and socio-economic development and the expansion of highway, railway, and other infrastructure investments had strong influence on the changes of the landscape pattern, leading to a deeper level of landscape fragmentation.

Key words: Soil drought, N, Endogenous hormone, Stomatal conductivity, Maize