Abstract: Mastering the distribution and dynamic change characteristics of wetland could provide scientific basis for better protection of wetland. In this research we processed the remote sensing data of Jiangsu coastal wetlands in 1999, 2002, 2012 and employed maximum likelihood method to extract wetland information. On this basis we investigated the dynamic change of coastal wetland and analyzed the driving factors. Results showed that the total area of wetland in Jiangsu coastal area presented a declining trend. The proportion of artificial wetlands increased by 22.43%, and the proportion of natural wetlands decreased, accordingly. In addition, natural wetland presented a tendency that communities of Aeluropus littoralis and Artemisia halodendron reduced greatly, and Spartina experienced the process from widespread diffusion to relative stabilization. During the process of transfer, the biggest transfer-in area was artificial breeding pond, while the biggest transfer-out ratio changed from barren wetland to shallow waters. The main driving factor of coastal wetland change was the influence of human activities.

Key words: Jiangsu coastal area, wetland, information extraction, dynamic change, remote sensing, GIS(Geographic Information System), driving factors