Impact Analysis of urbanization on Grassland Changing of North-Western China in the last decade of 20th century: Case of Inner Mongolia

Background and Object: The degradation area of grassland was severe in the end of 20th century, this research will evaluate the impact of urbanization on grassland changing. Data and Methods: This study included 87 counties of Inner Mongolia, and three- period images
of autumn-seasonal Landsat Thematic Mapper (T M) data set consisting of 3 images. Descriptive method and multiple linear regression models were used. Results: Amount of rainfall, highway construction and urbanization rate were statistically significant (p<0.05) to CQI in model of 1989 and 1996. GDP per capita, amount of husbandry, and urbanization rate were significant to CQI in model of 2000 (p<0.05). Conclusion: (i) Severe physical geographic and natural environment would keep on affecting grassland changing, especially amount of rainfall; (ii) Economic development would lead to the deterioration of grassland; (iii) Acceleration of urbanization process and development of highway construction had a positive impact on CQI.