Abstract: By the end of 1991, 708 natural reserveswith various categories have been established in China with a total area of 56. 07 million hectares, occupying 5. 56% of China land territory, of which 389 reserves were established for conserving all kinds of ecosystems with an area 43 million hectares, 280 reserves for conserving wild species with an area of 12. 87 million hectares and 39 reserves for conserving natural relics with an area of 0. 187 million hectares. The construction of these reserves has made a great contribution to the conservations of biodiversity and other natural resources in China. Based on the reserve construction status of forest , grassland , desert, terrestrial wetland and fresh water, ocean and coast ecosystems, and wild animals and plants. the contribution of natural reserves construction in China to the biodiversity conservation and the shortcoming existed are comprehensively analyzed. 

Key words: natural reserve, construction of protected area, biodiversity, conservation