Abstract: An investigation on the current status of 15 nature reserves in six provinces of China showed that there was a significant difference in the management quality of nature reserves established at different time, and the main limiting factor was investment and its concerned sectors. The 15 nature reserves were clustered into 3 categories, representing different development stages of nature reserves in China. The nature reserves established under different backgrounds had different management characteristics, and the management was not really based on ecological construction and resources conservation. According to the current status of nature reserves management, the six provinces could also be clustered into 3 categories, among which, the provinces such as Liaoning and Jiangxi had some similarities in the management, in spite of the greater differences in their resources and social economy qualities, suggesting that the management quality of nature reserves had a significant correlation with the input of fund and manpower. To develop the nature reserves in China, investment is the key of all relevant issues.

Key words: Ecosystem, Degradation degree, Chinese pine, Western Liaoning Province