Abstract: The Kuye River Basin is located in the Loess Plateau region and the N-shaped bend region of the Yellow River. It is not only an important economic development area, but also an important component of the ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin and the Loess Plateau. However, the study area is located in a semi-arid and arid region with loose soil structure, sparse vegetation cover and a fragile ecological environment, resulting in severe soil erosion. Therefore, changes in vegetation cover play a crucial role in the protection of water resources and the sustainable development of the economy and society in the Kuye River Basin. Against the backdrop of global climate change, the Kuye River Basin is experiencing intensified climate change and increased human activities. Under the combined influence of climate change and human activities, significant changes are occurring in the spatio-temporal patterns of vegetation cover in the study area. The effects of climate change and human activities on vegetation cover changes in the Kuye River Basin are investigated, this study used normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), two climate factors including temperature and precipitation, and land use type data. The spatio-temporal evolution of vegetation cover was analysed by applying trend analysis, residual analysis and scenario simulation assessment. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity separation analysis of climate factors and human disturbances was carried out, the relative contribution rates of these two drivers to vegetation dynamics were quantified, and the synergistic/antagonistic mechanisms between climate variability and human activities on vegetation cover were systematically investigated. The research results show that from 2000 to 2022, there has been a significant recovery of vegetation cover in the Kuye River Basin. The average vegetation NDVI has gradually increased from north to south, showing a fluctuating upward trend with a growth rate of 0.008/a. The improvement of vegetation cover on cropland is the most significant, while the recovery of vegetation cover on construction land is the least effective. Vegetation cover in the Kuye River Basin is influenced by both climate change and human activities, with both positive and negative effects observed. A dominant positive influence is exerted by human activities, while the impact of climate change is not found to be significant.Different vegetation types show a significant increasing trend in vegetation NDVI, while water bodies and construction land have the greatest negative impact on vegetation cover, both showing a non-significant decreasing trend.he improvement and degradation of vegetation cover in the Kuye River Basin are affected differently by climate change and human activities. The decoupling study of driving factors in the vegetation restoration area shows that the attribution weight of climate change is only 1.22%, and the contribution proportion of human intervention is as high as 98.78%, while in the vegetation degradation area, the attribution weight of climate change is 4.69%, and the contribution proportion of human intervention is 95.31%. Unused land and built-up areas are relatively more affected by climate change. The research results are of great significance for monitoring changes in vegetation cover and studying land-atmosphere interactions. It is hoped that they will provide valuable references for ecological environment improvement, vegetation restoration, and government management and protection in the Kuye River basin.