###### Abstract  
Habitat quality is a comprehensive index reflecting ecological conditions, land use impact, and human survival. Susceptibility to geological disasters is influenced by factors such as ecology, the geological environment, and human activities. Analyzing the effects of habitat quality on geological disaster susceptibility and its spatial dynamics is crucial for ecological protection and assessing geological disaster risks. This research focused on Pingshan County, using the InVEST 3.7.0 model and ArcGIS to evaluate habitat quality and geological disaster susceptibility for 2020. The spatial relationships were examined with GeoDa to investigate the impact of habitat quality on geological disaster susceptibility. The findings are as follows: (1) Pingshan County generally exhibits high habitat quality, showing significant spatial clustering with geological disaster susceptibility--predominantly high-high in the west and low-low in the east. (2) The geological environment significantly influences the relationship between habitat quality and geological disaster susceptibility, with an overall positive correlation but negative correlations in certain areas. Geological disaster susceptibility is primarily governed by geological factors rather than habitat quality. (3) In mountainous regions with comparable ecological and geological conditions, variations in geological disaster susceptibility are chiefly driven by human activities. Including human activities as a metric significantly enhances the evaluation accuracy. This study provides a scientific foundation for ecological protection, the assessment of geological disaster susceptibility, and the development of mitigation policies. h +
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ecological environment and assesses whether the ecosystem can sustain suitable living conditions for individuals or populations [7; 8; 9; 10]. It is also significantly influenced by human activities. Habitat quality displays distinct regional and differential characteristics, leading to diverse ecological effects and thus influencing the development of geological disasters to varying degrees. High-quality habitats typically provide superior ecological services, such as soil and water conservation. These services can partially mitigate surface runoff, enhance the stability of rock and soil masses, and thereby contribute to reducing the likelihood of geological disasters. The current research on ecosystem service functions predominantly focuses on extensive areas like regions and provinces [11; 12; 13; 14], with less attention given to smaller scales, such as counties and towns. While large-scale studies are instrumental in discerning the overarching patterns and major trends in regional ecosystem services, they may neglect finer ecological processes and details at smaller scales. Conversely, research on habitat quality tends to emphasize the spatiotemporal evolution of regional habitats and analysis of the influencing factors [15; 16; 17; 18]. However, studies examining the impact of habitat quality on geological disasters remain relatively scarce. This gap in the knowledge could result in inaccurate risk assessments of geological disasters, potentially increasing both the frequency and severity of these events. Pingshan County is located in the western part of Hebei Province, East China, at the eastern foot of the middle section of the Taihang Mountains and the upper reaches of the Hutuo River. The region boasts unique ecological advantages. With the acceleration of urbanization in recent years, the area has experienced deteriorating climate conditions, marked by an increase in extreme weather events and a potential rise in geological disasters. Consequently, Pingshan County has emerged as a focal point for ecological environmental protection and geological disaster research within Hebei Province.