Objective Based on time−series data of ecosystem type distribution, this study analyzes the transformation trends between ecosystems and their impacts on ecosystem patterns from two dimensions: absolute intensity and relative intensity.

Methods Employing the intensity analysis framework, an intensity map of ecosystem pattern changes was constructed. An empirical study was conducted using the Northeast China forest belt as a case study.

Results The intensity map quantifies transformations between ecosystems, revealing distinct change characteristics, from 2008—2015 and 2015—2022, the transformation from farmland ecosystem to forest ecosystem shows the change characteristics of absolute tendency; the transformation from grassland ecosystem to farmland ecosystem shows the change characteristics of systematic tendency; during 2008—2015, the transformation from urban ecosystem to grassland ecosystem shows the change characteristics of systematic inhibition, while during 2015—2022, the transformation shows the change characteristics of relative tendency.

Conclusions The intensity map deeply excavates underlying information within the transition matrix, visualizing ecosystem changes through intensity values of gains and losses. It provides valuable insights for analyzing spatiotemporal evolution patterns of the Northeast China forest belt and offers a novel approach for studying ecosystem pattern dynamics.