The environment of Tarim Basin characterized by modern arid area had begun in the Tertiary Period and had formed in the beginning of the Quaternary Period. During historical period

the whole trend of Tarim Basin's environment evolution is:the lakes have dried up

the rivers severed the plants declined the deserts enlarged

and the natural environment is deteriorating seriously

its development has furtherly gone against human being's life and work. What are the causes? According to relative literal record

Tarim Basin had had dry desert climate at all times. The drought

rich sand and the climate's dynamic force are the natural factors that cause Tarim Basin's desertification inevitably. However human being's unfavorable economic activities are in the leading position. Therefore

we think

the main reasons which cause the environmental changes in this region are human activities which are disarrangement of surtace water's distribution and distruction of natrual vegetation. Later

according to the information we collected during exploring in the eastern region of Tarim Basin in the May of 1998 and the research results that the precursors worked out

we will discuss human activities influence on the evolution of Tarim Basin's environment since historical period.