Accurate and rapid habitat quality evaluation in the Yellow River Basin is significant for the ecological protection and restoration of the Yellow River Basin. Taking Ningxia, China, as an example, this study conducted long-term and multi-angle remote sensing monitoring of the ecological environment, analyzed the spatial and temporal variation ecosystem characteristics of the arid area in the Yellow River Basin, and evaluated the effectiveness of various projects over time. Based on land use data for nine periods from 1980 to 2020, the FVC and land use change in Ningxia were studied, and the HQ was calculated using the InVEST model. The results showed that: (1) From 1980 to 2020, the FVC in Ningxia has shown a fluctuating upward trend, and the FVC on unused land and low-density grassland increased significantly. (2) From 1980 to 2020, land use in Ningxia has been greatly affected by human activities and policy factors. The six first-level categories generally show the characteristics of three increases and three decreases: cultivated land, forested land, and construction land increased by 11.9%, 11.9%, and 114.4%, respectively. Grassland, water area, and unused land decreased by 10.7%, 6.1%, and 10.3%, respectively. (3) The HQ in nine national nature reserves improved slightly, and the mean value increased from 0.53 to 0.54. (4) From 1980 to 2020, the HQ in Ningxia has been low and slightly degraded.