AbstractThe Shapotou National Nature Reserve, situated on the southeastern edge of the Tenggeli Desert, is a nature reserve for desert and semi-desert eco systems. Animal species and their abundances in the reserve were investigated during 1986~1987. In order to know the growth and decline of animal resource in the reserve since 1986, we investigated animal species, their amount and environmentalconditions during 1998~1999.Nineteen protected animal were recorded in 1998~1999, among which three species are class I protected species and the others belong to class II protected species. In comparison with 1986~1987, the species protected by law in China increased by seven species. Thirty-five additional species of birds wererecorded, among which eleven species were new records for Ningxia. Three additional species of mammals were recorded, but three species of rodent were not re-encountered in the second survey. Two species of amphibian and reptiles also were not re-encountered. Comparing animal abundances between 1986~1987 and 1998~1999, bird numbers in wetland habitat increased significantly, but those in village farmland, desert and sand-stabilization forest decreased. Specifically, the amount of bird as environmental indicator, such as Athene noctua, Passer ammodendri, Passer montanus, Galerida cristata, Cuculus canorus, and Streptopelia orientalis, were significantly reduced. Not only did rodent species richness decrease, but numbers also declined markedly.The main factors which led to the growth and decline of animal species and their amount in Shapotou National Nature Reserve were: (1) the destruction of sand-stabilization forest ruined through economic action of human beings and plant diseases; (2) falling groundwater level, serious wetland pollution and the addition of abundant nutrients to water; (3) degradation of meadow and grassland; (4) enlargement of the area of farms and ponds.