Scientifically recognizing and mastering the spatial-temporal response of habitat quality to land use change and its internal mechanism is the basis of seeking sustainable development in arid areas. Based on the data of land use in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, the land use transfer matrix model, dynamic attitude and state degree model, InVEST model, and geographically weighted regression model were adopted. The research results were as follows： ① From 1990 to 2020, the area of unused land in Hexi Corridor changed the most, with a decrease of 3 021 km2 and the cultivated land, construction land, and water area increased by 2 343.60 km2, 739.28 km2, and 416.56 km2, respectively. During the study period, the dynamic attitude and state index of construction land changed the most, which was closely related to the rapid urbanization over the past 30 years. ② From 1990 to 2020, the overall habitat quality in Hexi Corridor was at a low level； however, it showed an upward trend, showing a spatial differentiation pattern of "high in the south and low in the north." From 1990 to 2020, the habitat quality in the study area had a spatial agglomeration effect and the H-H and H-L aggregation areas increased significantly. ③ Under the joint action of natural and man-made mechanisms, the social, economic, natural, and scientific factors had a profound impact on the relationship and change mechanism between land use change and habitat quality. The research results can provide scientific support for optimizing the spatial layout of land and ecological integration protection and system management of inland river basins.
Keywords: Hexi Corridor; habitat quality; land use change; lifting path; response mechanism.