[Objective] The characteristics and driving factors of landscape pattern changes and the spatiotemporal evolution of landscape ecological risk was analyzed in order to provide a theoretical basis for integrated watershed management, watershed ecosystem management, and sustainable development.[Methods] A landscape ecological risk assessment model was proposed using the landscape index method based on land use data in 2000, 2010, and 2020 from the Huangshui River basin. Spatiotemporal dynamic characteristics of landscape patterns and ecological risk were examined by coupling ArcGIS 10.6, Fragstats 4.2, and GeoDa 1.20. Factors driving spatially stratified heterogeneity of landscape ecological risk were identified using geographic detectors.[Results] ① Grassland and cropland were the dominant land use types in the Huangshui River basin. Land transfer mainly occurred between cropland, grassland, and construction land. Urban expansion was the main feature of land use/land cover changes over the past 20 years. ② From 2000 to 2020, landscape ecological risk in the Huangshui River basin initially increased and then decreased, and there was a negative correlation between ecological service value and landscape ecological risk. ③ Spatial distributions of landscape ecological risk in the Huangshui River basin mainly presented "high-high" and "low-low" agglomerations. Elevation was the main factor driving the spatially stratified heterogeneity of ecological risk. The interaction between driving factors had an enhancing effect on spatially stratified heterogeneity of landscape ecological risk. ④ Spatial distribution of landscape ecological risks had an obvious altitude gradient effect. According to the altitude gradient, the Huangshui River basin was divided into three ecological risk control zones:key control area, strict control area, and general control area.[Conclusion] Ecological governance and ecological restoration were the main reasons for the decline of the landscape ecological risk index in the Huangshui River basin. Different management and control strategies should be implemented for different ecological risk control zones. Land use optimization management and land use control should be primary concerns with respect to ecological risk control.