[Objective] The effects of the spatial distribution of sugarcane planting patterns (newly planted and perennial) and vegetation coverage on the hydrological connectivity of a watershed were determined in order to provide a scientific reference for hydrological connectivity research and soil erosion management of watersheds. [Methods] Using the index of connectivity (IC)

the variation characteristics of hydrological connectivity with sugarcane growing period were analyzed based on ArcGIS and UAV high-resolution image data. Principal component analysis was used to explore the key influencing factors of hydrological connectivity. [Results] ① The mean IC in the Nala watershed changed from -2.07 to -2.87 with increasing sugarcane growth stage

and the mean IC in the seedling stage was significantly greater than in tillering

elongation stage

and ripening stages (p＜0.05). The IC value of each sub-watershed showed two different trends: initially decreasing and then increasing

and continuously decreasing during the growth period of sugarcane. Places that were closer to the road network or river channel had higher IC values. ② The IC value of newly planted sugarcane was significantly greater than that of perennial sugarcane at the seedling and tillering stages (p＜0.05)

and significantly lower than that of perennial sugarcane at the ripening stage (p＜0.05)

but there was no significant difference at the elongation stage. ③ The main influencing factors of hydrological connectivity at the seedling

tillering

and ripening stages were planting mode

vegetation coverage

and slope

and the ratio of new planting area to hydrological connectivity was greater than that of perennial root area. ④ The area ratio of newly planted sugarcane significantly affected the vegetation coverage at the seedling

tillering

and ripening stages

and the effect gradually decreased with the passage of time. Sugarcane planting patterns affected hydrological connectivity by influencing vegetation coverage. [Conclusion] The hydrological connectivity of the Nala watershed changed significantly with sugarcane growth stage

and was significantly affected by planting patterns and vegetation coverage. Planting patterns can affect hydrological connectivity by influencing vegetation coverage.