###### Abstract  
Understanding the interplay between climate change, landscape patterns, and carbon sequestration is critical for sustainable ecosystem management. This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of vegetation Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and landscape patterns in Inner Mongolia, China, from 2000 to 2020, and evaluates their implications for carbon sink capacity under climate change. Using remote sensing data, meteorological records, and landscape metrics (CONTAG, SPLIT, JII), we quantified the relationships between vegetation productivity, landscape connectivity, and fragmentation. Results reveal a northeast-to-southwest gradient in NPP, with high values concentrated in forested regions of the Greater Khingan Range and low values in arid western deserts. Over two decades, NPP increased by 73% in high-productivity zones, driven by rising temperatures and ecological restoration policies. Landscape aggregation (CONTAG) and patch connectivity showed strong positive correlations with NPP, while higher fragmentation values (SPLIT, JII) negatively impacted carbon sequestration. Climate factors, particularly precipitation variability, emerged as critical drivers of NPP fluctuations, with human activities amplifying regional disparities. We propose targeted strategies--enhancing landscape connectivity, regional differentiation management, and optimizing patch structure--to bolster climate-resilient carbon sinks. These findings underscore the necessity of integrating climate-adaptive landscape planning into regional carbon neutrality frameworks, offering feasible alternatives for mitigating climate impacts in ecologically vulnerable regions. climate change; landscape pattern; net primary productivity (NPP); carbon sequestration; ecosystem resilience 202516790  
13 February 202  
dynamics remain poorly understood. For example, in mountainous ecosystems, the synergistic effects of terrain complexity and biodiversity determine the long-term stability of regional carbon sink functions [4]. In addition, rapid urbanization has dramatically transformed urban underlying surfaces, causing a decline in vegetation cover and intensified landscape fragmentation. These alterations not only reduce carbon sequestration capacity but also increase the uncertainty of regional carbon emissions [5]. Optimizing landscape spatial configuration (such as increasing connectivity and reducing fragmentation) is a key strategy for enhancing carbon sequestration functions [6]. Globally, extreme climate events, including prolonged droughs and rainstorms, are accelerating the fragmentation of forests and agricultural landscapes, further changing the original carbon sequestration model [7]. Net Primary Productivity (NPP), a key indicator of the productivity and carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems [8], reflects both the carbon fixed by vegetation through photosynthesis and the net carbon gain after respiration [9]. Climate conditions (e.g., precipitation and temperature), vegetation types, and soil properties are important drivers of the spatiotemporal variation in NPP [10; 11; 12]. In particular, precipitation and temperature are identified as key factors strongly correlated with NPP patterns [8]. Recent studies highlight the growing impact of climate change on global NPP dynamics. Between 2000 and 2009, droughs caused by climate change led to a significant decrease in global terrestrial NPP [8], particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where NPP distribution is closely related to seasonal precipitation and exhibits significant regional heterogeneity [13]. In addition, forest age structure, vegetation coverage, and understory composition influence local NPP variations [14]. From an ecological restoration perspective, optimizing landscape patterns positively impacts NPP. Measures such as afforestation and wetland restoration not only increase regional NPP but also enhance carbon sequestration by improving energy and material flows [15].