By using remote sensing and GIS technology,this paper collected land use information of1980,1990,2000 and 2010 and the relevant statistical data,and analyzed the characteristics of land use change and its driving forces in northwestern Shanxi Province,the typical ecological fragile area. The results showed that there were significant changes in land use patterns in the past 30 years. During 1980-1990,1990-2000 and 2000-2010 periods,the area of farmland decreased continuously,while the areas of grassland and...