Objective The aim was to clarify the spatio-temporal evolution law and driving factors of the transformation of cultivated land use in the Northwest Arid Region, and to provide decision-making references for optimizing the benefits of the regional transformation of cultivated land use.

Method This study analyzed the spatial and temporal characteristics and driving factors of the cultivated land use transition in the Northwest Arid Zone based on the land use data interpreted by remote sensing images from 2000 to 2020, using models such as the cultivated land use dynamic index and the Geodetector model.

Result The primary trend in the cultivated land use transition in the northwest desert region was the expansion of cultivated land, but this was also accompanied by a decrease in cultivated land, and the degree of active cultivated land use was continually increasing. While the rate of expansion of cultivated land in Alashan, northern and southern Xinjiang exhibited an upward tendency, the rate of expansion of cultivated land in Hexi Corridor steadily slowed down. In terms of cultivated land use conversion, the highest tendency degree was that of converting unused land to cultivated land, which serves as the primary source of cultivated land reclamation. While the tendency index for cultivated land conversion to construction land was the highest, representing the predominant pathway of cultivated land loss. Agricultural output value, mechanization level, irrigation facilities and other factors were the main influencing factors to promote the expansion of cultivated land use transition in the Northwest Arid region.

Conclusion Future land use in the region should follow the ecological priority strategy, fully realize the principle of "land determination with water, production determination with water", prevent the large-scale, chaotic expansion of cultivated land, and coordinate the relationship between social and economic development and the ecological environment.