新疆是世界级濒危物种白鹳和黑鹳的主要分布区及繁殖地。目前中亚白鹳濒临绝迹。结合十五年的工作积累、采用传统的野外工作方法，深入观测和研究其繁殖习性、生存现状、分布格局、种间竞争机制、绝灭倾向与生境破碎化的关系等。查明群体结构、数量分布、领域习性、食物组成、迁徙及天敌等。建立动态数据库，为拯救鹳类、提供科学方法和理论依据。

(Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 40 Beijing Road, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, P. R. China, E-mail: maming@ms.xjb.ac.cn)Abstract On the basis of ancient books and some modern papers ( Scully 1876, Ludlow & Kinnear 1933-34; Пржевальский 1948 ) on the White Stork Ciconia ciconia asiatica and Black Stork Ciconia nigra, and also including on-the-spot investigation and visiting in Xinjiang, we know the great change in the distribution of the storks. One hundred years ago White Stork was common species in Yarkant and Kashgar, the southern Xinjiang, but around 1980 it was extinct from Xinjiang, and also from all China. The main reasons: the human population increased sharply in the oasis from 1950 to 2000; wetlands were cultivated; species competition between the Black Stork and White Stork; and illegal activities which affects the wildlife in the area, including hunting, fishing with explosives, poisoning, trapping, collecting eggs, and destroying the nests (e.g. cut the trees). Because the population of the White Stork was more close to the human, it was easy for the White Storks to lose their habitats and nesting areas, there were many dangers to them. For instance, many lakes and rivers in the plains have dried up due to irrigation, which has had a direct effect on the availability of stopover and breeding sites for storks. In particular, Lop Nur, the largest lake in Xinjiang before 1958 -1970 was diminished and dried, it is a salt-desert now. The Tarim River, Qarqan River, Hotan River and Yarkant River have all shortened in length and no longer reach their lakes！ . At present, other species are also face the same misfortune in Xinjiang, e. g. Pelicans, Black Stork, Spoonbills, Swan Goose, Mute Swan, Marbled Teal, Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Saker Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Siberian White Crane, Crakes, Bustards, Relic Gull and Eastern Stock Dove. In Xinjiang, the basic problem in protecting storks and other wild animals is how to protect their habitats and control expansion of human populations into important breeding areas of storks. If we do our best for the wildlife, White Stork will return to their homeland in the future.