To understand the abundance of soil ciliates and the species and abundance of ciliate protozoans in different soil aggregates and stratification in Picea crassipes Forest in Qilian Mountains,the non-submerged petri dish method and in vivo observation method were used to screen the soil samples. In situ (unscreened),granular (diameter > 0.25 mm),10 mesh (0.15 mm < diameter < 0.25 mm),and 100 mesh (diameter < 0.15 mm) soil samples were collected. At the same time,referring to the "0.1mL frame-microscope counting method",the "complete culture counting method" was proposed to analyze and compare the advantages and disadvantages of complete culture counting method and Foissner counting method,and to explore the distribution and succession of ciliates in different soil aggregates and different soil stratification. The results show that: (1) Foissner counting method is simple and convenient,not limited by the experimental time,but exhibits systematic errors and strong variability. The complete culture counting method can stimulate the germination of as many cysts as possible,thereby maximizing the calculation of ciliate abundance in soil and tracking community changes throughout the entire culture process. (2) In different soil layers,the abundance of ciliates in soil samples of 10 and 100 orders was similar. The upper soil samples gradually decreased,and the lower soil samples first decreased,increased at 21d,and decreased at 30d. The species and abundance of soil ciliates in 100 orders were the lowest in different soil aggregates. (3) The abundance and species number of ciliates in the upper layer (0-10 cm) were higher than those in the lower layer (10-20 cm). In situ soil samples,granular soil samples,10-order soil samples and 100-order soil samples were 5.2,3.5,1.9 and 4.6 times higher,respectively. Electrical conductivity (EC) and organic matter (SOM) were the dominant factors of soil ciliate abundance. (4) The dominant species of ciliate community changed from low to high,and then to lower groups. While tracking the process of community succession,the full culture counting method can also obtain the "theoretical peak abundance" of species reserves,which provides a reference for future studies on the biodiversity of ciliate protozoa and community ecology. Meanwhile,this study on soil ciliates in the Picea crassipes Forest in the Qilian Mountains has bridged and enhanced the existing knowledge gaps in the field of soil ciliate research. This study provided theoretical basis for the protection of Picea crassipes Forest and forest soil fauna in Qilian Mountains.