###### Abstract
Highly connected landscapes exhibit superior NPP recovery compared to fragmented ones, underscoring the importance of landscape structure optimization in carbon management [16]. Complex, multi-scale interactions exist among landscape patterns, NPP, and carbon sequestration. Landscapes with high connectivity and cohesion typically promote carbon sequestration by supporting stable vegetation productivity and ecological interactions [3]. However, excessive fragmentation and edge effects may weaken carbon sink functions, especially in areas with high land use intensity [17]. Landscape structure metrics, such as the maximum patch index (LPI) and patch shape index (LSI), provide important tools for quantifying the impact of landscape patterns on carbon sequestration [18]. Research has found that large, clustered patches typically have higher carbon storage and NPP than small, fragmented patches [19]. In addition, the regulatory role of forest types and management strategies on carbon sequestration potential cannot be ignored. In urban forests, the configuration of tree species significantly influences carbon sequestration, with reduced human interference and optimized patch connectivity identified as effective ways to enhance carbon storage [20]. In ecological restoration, policies improving landscape patterns and enhancing carbon sequestration are becoming increasingly significant. For example, China's afforestation and farmland-to-forest initiatives over the past two decades have significantly improved regional carbon sequestration capacity [21]. In the forest-grassland transition zones of northern China, increasing patch size and reducing fragmentation are considered important means to improve carbon sequestration [22]. For example, areas with higher tree coverage during the late growing season experience a decrease in net carbon absorption due to increased respiration, a seasonal compensatory effect that significantly affects annual carbon budgets [22]. Meanwhile, ecological restoration policies, such as grassland restoration and afforestation, have been proven to optimize landscape patterns and enhance carbon sequestration capacity [21]. As a typical representative of arid and semi-arid regions, Inner Mongolia features diverse ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and deserts, making it a unique case study for investigating the spatiotemporal dynamics of landscape patterns, NPP, and carbon sequestration. Over the past two decades, rapid urbanization, overgrazing, and climate change have significantly altered the landscape structure and ecological functions of the region [15], leading to increased spatial heterogeneity in landscape patterns and NPP. However, the mechanisms driving changes in landscape patterns and carbon storage in Inner Mongolia under climate influence remain poorly understood. Thus, the research objectives are to (1) analyze the spatiotemporal changes in NPP and landscape patterns in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2020; (2) quantify the relationship between key landscape indicators and NPP; (3) identify landscape indices that promote carbon sequestration efficiency; and (4) propose optimized landscape management strategies aligned with regional and global sustainable development goals.