Ecological environment quality evaluation and influencing factors analysis of Shenyang metropolitan area

The Shenyang Metropolitan Area is the first nationally recognized metropolitan area in Northeast China. Examining the spatiotemporal evolution of its ecological environment quality and conducting ecological management zoning are of great significance for advancing ecological environment management and sustainable development. Based on Google Earth Engine (GEE) and MODIS data, the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) of the Shenyang Metropolitan Area was constructed for the period 2000–2024. The spatiotemporal patterns of ecological quality were analyzed using the Theil-Sen and Mann-Kendall trend tests. Furthermore, the optimal-parameter geographical detector and the PLS-SEM model were employed to explore the driving factors of ecological environment quality. The results show that from 2000 to 2024, the ecological environment quality of the Shenyang Metropolitan Area was mainly classified as moderate and good. Notably, 64.59% of the region exhibited an improving RSEI trend. The main influencing factors of RSEI included annual precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, vegetation type, and land-use type, each explaining more than 40% of the variation. Climate factors have a significant negative impact on RSEI change through their direct effect and potential effect, and become the most important influencing factors. Therefore, ecological management in Shenyang metropolitan area should give priority to climate adaptation and vegetation protection.