Three TM remote-sensing images(2001, 2005, and 2010) were analyzed using GIS technology to identify the relationships between coastline changes and the landscape evolution of salt marshes in different sub-regions(Ⅰ, Diaokou estuary sub-region; Ⅱ, Dongying harbor sub-region; Ⅲ, Current estuary sub-region; Ⅴ, Laizhou Bay sub-region) of the Yellow River Delta. The results showed that coastline change directly affected the increase or decrease of salt marshes in the coastal zone, but the influence intensities were considerably different in the four sub-regions. Between 2001 and 2010, the coastline in the Ⅰ sub-region was eroding due to the significant decrease in runoff and sediment loading due to the abandonment of the Diaokou channel in 1976. In this sub-region, the area of salt marsh decreased by approximately 57.64 km², or of 20.10%. As the Yellow River changed its exit to the sea from Qingshuigou between1976 and 1996 to Qing 8 since 1996, the coastline in the Ⅲ sub-region has had a deposition and forward movement status due to the continuous runoff and sediment loading from the Yellow River. Between 2001 and 2010, the area of salt marsh increased by 66.17 km², or 17.39%. Comparatively, the coastline and the area of salt marsh in the Ⅱ sub-region has barely changed due to the great human activities, such as seawall and harbor constructions. In the Ⅳ sub-region, the coastline also had a deposition and forward movement status between 2001 and 2010 and the area of salt marsh increased by 33.52 km², or 95.22%. The landscape pattern showed obvious zonal distribution characteristics from the land to the sea, and the landscape types in a seaward direction were Phragmites australis salt marsh, Suaeda salsa-Tamarix chinensis-P. australis salt marsh, S.salsa salt marsh and mudflat, respectively. Between 2001 and 2010, significant changes to the different landscape types. The areas of mudflat, S.salsa salt marsh and P. australis salt marsh continuously decreased(the values decreased by 6.02 km², 18.39 km², and 99.20 km², with decreasing rates of 4.61%, 12.86%, and 50.11%, respectively), while that of S.salsa-T. chinensis-P. australis salt marsh generally increased(by 35.50 km², or 24.99%). This study indicated that, the succession of landscape types in a seaward or landward direction coincided with the deposition or erosion of the coastal zone in the different sub-regions. The changes to coastline was the determinant factor affecting the landscape patterns in the different sub-regions, and the long-term implementation of "Water and sediment regulation project of the Yellow River" has also significantly changed the coastline and the succession of vegetation landscape types over recent years.