Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is a typical subtropical karst region with severe rocky desertification in China.Based on the SPOT-VEGETATION images used as the main data source,the distribution of rocky desertification in Guangxi Province in 1998,2003,and 2007 is inversed by combining maximum value composites(MVC) method and dimidiate pixel model with geology,landform,and landuse map.Additionally,in FRAGSTATS platform,the evolutionary characteristics of rocky desertification in the 10 years are analyzed by selecting some landscape pattern indexes,such as Shannon Diversity Index(SHDI) and Contagion(CONTAG),and using spatial analysis method of landscape.Results from the research show that the overall landscape level of rocky desertification in the region was characterized by high inner homogeneity and low landscape heterogeneity.The total rocky desertification area decreased by 177 283 hm2,indicating a good effect of management.The change in light rocky desertification was most significant and the area for this type of rocky desertification is the important and prime objective of management.