Rocky desertification is a serious ecological and environmental problem in Southwest China. Quickly and scientifically reveal the distribution and changes of ecological environment quality in rocky desertification areas, which is of great significance to rocky desertification restoration, ecological environment governance and sustainable development. Based on the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI), in addition to greenness, humidity, dryness, and heat, combined with the degree of rocky desertification, this study used the principal component analysis (PCA) method to construct a modified remote sensing ecological index (MRSEI). Then, the temporal and spatial variation characteristics and imaging factors of the ecological environment quality in the typical rocky desertification region of southeastern Chongqing from 2001 to 2021 were explored. The results revealed that the greenness and humidity indicators had a positive effect on the ecological quality, while the indicators of dryness, heat and rocky desertification had the opposite impact. From 2001 to 2021, the ecological environment quality in southeastern Chongqing showed a trend of gradual improvement, and the improvement area accounted for about 70% of the total area. The elevation, slope, monthly average precipitation, and land use pattern were the main factors influencing the quality of the ecological environment in the region.
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