Abstract: Forest disturbance is an important factor that affects the terrestrial ecosystem and the global carbon cycle as well. A case study was conducted of Wuning County, Jiangxi Province, based on 14 TM/ ETM+ remote sensing images of the time period from 1986 to 2011, from which forest disturbance information was extracted by using the method of disturbance index (DI) time series trajectory analysis, and then analyzed with the EOF (empirical orthogonal function) method quantitatively for the temporal-spatial  variation of the disturbance. And effects of nature and society, the two driving factors, also were analyzed with the geographic Information system (GIS). Results show that Wuning County suffered dramatic disturbance in years from 1986 to 1998, and particularly in 1992. The disturbance was mainly reflected in area. It leveled off in 2000 and afterwards with deforestation and forest fire being the main forms of disturbance. Spatially, restricted by terrain and transportation, the disturbance occurred mainly in areas alongside roads, low in altitude and close to water. Meanwhile, urbanization is gradually becoming an unnegligible driving factor of the forest disturbance in that region.

Key words: forest disturbance, EOF method, driving factor, remote sensing