Abstract: By studying the vegetation coverage and it’s pattern during 17 years by means of translation of TM/ETM+ remote sensing images and analysis on the tempo-spatial characteristics of the hierarchical structure of the vegetation coverage, the process of disturbance of urbanization on the natural landscape and the changes in environmental quality were reproduced. The results showed that from 1989 to 2006, along with the rapid development of economy, the vegetation system in Chongming county experienced a process from serious damage to gradual restoration. From 1989 to 2001, the vegetation in both town and farm areas were destroyed seriously. From 2001 to 2006, this tend still existed in the town area, but in the farm area, the vegetation was increased, and the hierarchical structure of the vegetation coverage was improved, which positively contributed to the restoration of the vegetation system in Chongming county.

Key words: vegetation coverage, hierarchical structure, TM/ETM+image, landscape pattern, Chongming county, urbanization, vegetation coverage, hierarchical structure, TM/ETM+image, landscape pattern, Chongming county