[Objective] This study aimed to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of ecological environment quality in the Henan section of the Yellow River Basin, identify key driving factors, and provide a scientific basis for ecological protection and high-quality development in the region. [Methods] Based on Landsat 8 remote sensing images from four periods (2013, 2017, 2020, and 2023), a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) was constructed by integrating four indicators: Greenness (NDVI), Wetness (WET), Dryness (NDBSI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST), to systematically assess the ecological environment quality of the study area. Using the geodetector method, combined with socioeconomic factors (population density, nighttime light intensity) and natural factors (precipitation, temperature), we quantitatively analyzed the spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of ecological environment quality and their driving mechanisms . [Results] From 2013 to 2023, the ecological environment quality in the study area generally exhibited a dynamic trend of "decline—improvement—relative stabilization." Spatially, it showed a pattern of "superior periphery and inferior center," with high-value areas concentrated in the western and southern mountainous regions and low-value areas distributed in the central urban clusters and eastern plain agricultural zones. NDVI was the dominant influencing factor, and NDBSI was the secondary influencing factor. The interactions among the factors were primarily characterized by nonlinear enhancement. Socioeconomic factors (population density, nighttime light intensity) showed a significant negative correlation with RSEI, while among natural factors, precipitation was positively correlated and temperature was negatively correlated with RSEI. [Conclusion] Over the past decade, the ecological environment quality has generally improved effectively in the Henan section of the Yellow River Basin, and RSEI can reliably reflect its spatiotemporal changes. The research findings have revealed the synergistic effects of human activities and natural factors, and highlighted the critical roles of vegetation cover and surface drying under the influence of urbanization and agricultural activities.The research results can provide scientific support for study area’s ecological conservation planning, spatial regulation policy formulation, and integrated eco-environmental management.