Abstract: The research on the change of regional land use (RS) and land cover with remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) is one of the important parts of the research on global change. Being with the particular geographical location, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is characterized by the obvious variety, complexity and transition of geographical environment. In this paper the temporal and spatial change of land use and its influence on the environment in Ningxia are analyzed. By using the TM images in 1986, 1996 and 2000 and the spatial analysis methods of remote sensing and GIS, the dynamic change of land use in Ningxia during the period from 1986 to 2000 is researched. The results show that in 2000 the areas of grasslands, farmlands, unused lands, forest lands, residential areas and waters occupied 46, 35.8, 10.8, 4.72.0 and 0.9% of the total land area respectively. The results also show that the area of farmlands is enlarged in the dynamical change of land use but that of grasslands is reduced, the area of residential areas is enlarged rapidly but in a small scale, and the change of other land use types is basically in a dynamic balance. The comparison between the sub-regions reveals that the land use changes in the different degrees and different amplitudes with the different natural conditions. Moreover, the regional difference of the spatial distribution of land use change will result in the irrational structure of farmlands, degeneration and desertification of grasslands, and other resources and environment problems, and should be paid a great attention to these aspects.

Key words: Ningxia, land use, GIS, remote sensing