Taking Donggang district in Rizhao city as an example, an in-depth ecological sensitivity analysis of the core cities in Lunan economic circle has been carried out. An evaluation system for soil erosion sensitivity and land desertification sensitivity has been set up, and ecological sensitivity of Donggang district in Rizhao city has been quantitatively assessed. It is showed that the sensitivity of soil erosion in most areas of Donggang district is at a low level, but there is still a significant proportion of areas facing high soil erosion risks. It is mainly concentrated in the western mountainous areas, northern mining areas, eastern towns and the northeast of Taoluo Town.The regions with high sensitivity to land desertification are mainly concentrated in the eastern coastal areas and western regions. The ecological sensitivity of Donggang district is generally low, and shows significant regional differences in space. The low sensitivity areas are mainly concentrated in the central region, while the high sensitivity areas are distributed in Sanzhuang town, the southern part of Houcun town, the western part of Heshan town and the eastern coastal areas. This study proposes targeted ecological protection and management suggestions for soil erosion areas in hilly and mountainous regions, inland desertification sensitive areas, and coastal desertification sensitive areas. It will provide a scientific basis and decision-making reference for ecological protection and sustainable development of core cities in the southern Shandong economic circle.