The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is a useful indicator to characterize vegetation development and land use which can effectively monitor changes in ecological environments. As an important area for ecological balance and safety in China, understanding the dynamic changes in land cover and vegetation of the Yangtze River Basin would be crucial in developing effective policies and strategies to protect its natural environment while promoting sustainable growth. Based on MODIS-NDVI data and meteorological data from 2000 to 2019, the temporal and spatial distribution of vegetation coverage in the Yangtze River Basin during the past 20 years were characterized, and the impacts of human activities and climate change were quantitatively evaluated. We drew the following research conclusions: (1) From 2000 to 2019, the vegetation cover of the Yangtze River Basin presented a fluctuating inter-annual growth trend. Except for the Taihu Lake sub-basin, the vegetation cover in other sub-basins showed an upward trend. (2) The vegetation cover exhibited a spatial distribution pattern of “high in the middle and low in the east and west”, with the multi-year average value of NDVI being 0.5153. (3) Areas with improved vegetation cover were significantly larger than the areas with degraded foliage. The central region has stronger overall trend of change than the east, and the east is stronger than the west. These vegetation cover changes are largely related to anthropogenic activities. (4) Vegetation cover changes due to precipitation and temperature exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity. While both temperature and precipitation influenced vegetation cover, the temperature was the leading climate factor in the area. (5) Anthropogenic and climate factors jointly promoted the change of vegetation cover in the Yangtze River Basin. Human activities contributed 79.29%, while climate change contributed 20.71%. This study could be used in subsequent studies analyzing the influencing factors affecting long-term vegetation cover in large-scale watersheds.

Under the framework of the “dual carbon” goals, promoting the coordinated development of carbon emission efficiency, carbon sink capacity, and high-quality growth has become a critical issue for regional sustainability. Using panel data from 2006 to 2021, this study systematically investigates the three-dimensional coupling coordination among carbon emission efficiency, carbon sink capacity, and high-quality development in the Greater Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration. The spatiotemporal evolution, spatial correlation characteristics, and influencing factors of the coupling coordination were also explored. The results indicate that the coupling coordination system exhibits an evolutionary trend of overall stability with localized differentiation. The overall coupling degree remains in the “running-in” stage, while the coordination level is still in a marginally coordinated state. Spatially, the pattern has shifted from “northern leadership” to “multi-polar support,” with Yueyang achieving intermediate coordination, four cities including Changde reaching primary coordination, and three cities including Loudi remaining imbalanced. Spatial correlation has weakened from significant to insignificant, with Xiangtan showing a “low–low” cluster and Hengyang displaying a “high–low” cluster. The evolution of hot and cold spots has moved from marked differentiation to a more balanced distribution, as reflected by the disappearance of cold spots. The empirical analysis confirms a three-dimensional coupling mechanism: ecologically rich regions attain high coordination through carbon sink synergies; economically advanced areas achieve decoupling through innovation-driven development; while traditional industrial cities, despite facing the “green paradox,” demonstrate potential for leapfrog progress through transformation. Among the influencing factors, industrial structure upgrading emerged as the primary driver of spatial differentiation, though with a negative impact. Government support also exhibited a negative effect, whereas the interaction between environmental regulation and both government support and economic development was found to be significant.