In China, the alpine tundra of Changbai Mountain is one of only three areas in China with this type of rare alpine tundra. The vegetation has undergone significant change in recent decades. Herbaceous species from the ‘Betula ermanii zone’, represented by Deyeuxia angustifolia, have invaded the alpine tundra zone on Changbai Mountain. This incursion represents a unique phenomenon in the mountainous areas of China. We examined the incursion process of D. angustifolia using GPS (Global positional system) techniques based on spectral and image analysis. In the study area, GPS equipment was used to identify individual D. angustifolia patches. Spectral analysis, particularly the red edge bands, was conducted by comparing the hyperspectral data between the invasive D. andustifolia and the native species, Rhododendron chrysanthum. The spectral diversity of the invasive and native species' enabled us to compare their NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which was used to analyze within patch changes in vegetation. Landsat TM images from 1983, 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2008 were used to calculate the NDVI index. The results showed that the incursion of D. angustifolia began in the 1980s. Currently, D. angustifoliahas successfully invaded this alpine landscape with the gradual trend following an altitudinal gradient. The incursion range has extended from relatively low elevations to higher elevations. Moreover, the inference is that D. angustifolia patches at lower elevations are interconnected forming relatively large patches. At higher elevations in the tundra landscape, these D. angustifolia patches were smaller and more scattered.We also investigated the ecological consequences of the D. angustifolia invasion using plant community surveys and soil tests. The D. angustifolia patches were defined as patches at different times of invasion, which consisted of three different invasive levels (low, medium and high levels of invasion). In the newly formed plant community D. angustifolia was the dominant species. While this invasion altered the native plant community structure and enhanced biodiversity, it altered some soil properties including both physical and chemical properties. Compared with the native plant community, dominated by R. chrysanthum, the invasive patches showed higher Shannon-Wiener diversity and species richness. Changes in abundance and evenness of the community suggested that D. angustifolia would occupy the most dominate position in that community. The change of community structure resulted in the reduction of shrubs and increased the number of herbaceous species. The change of vegetation directly or indirectly led to changes in soil properties. The progression of invasion resulted in a decrease in the carbon/nitrogen ratio, soil humus and total nitrogen. However, the available nitrogen and soil water content increased. The changes in soil nutrients were closely related to changes in physical soil properties, especially for soil water content. The increases in soil water content altered nitrogen fixation processes, microbial decomposition and nitrification. We propose that the efficient use of soil nutrients may promote further D. angustifolia invasion. Moreover, we suggest that a time lag occurs between changes in the vegetation and soil properties.The invasion of D. angustifolia on the alpine tundra ecosystem has and continues to have severe impacts.