The characteristic of change in value of Tarim River ecosystem service function and its causes are discussed by combining the remote-sensing images with social statistical data related to the change in land utilization of Tarim River Main stream area during 1973–2005 and applying correlation analysis, regressional analysis and principal component analysis methods. The results show a right ascension state in the value of Tarim River ecosystem service function over the past 30 years. Of which, the Cropland ecosystem service function is of the largest increment in the economic value, which is far in excess of other ecosystem systems; the capacity of forest, grassland and wetland in service supply and value attribution show a downward tendency relatively; the area of Cropland and unused land ecosystems increase while that of forest, grassland and wetland ecosystems decrease, which indicates that the integral capacity and balance of the ecosystem in the region investigated has been affected severely and the ecosystem deteriorated; the economic activity of human is the key factor to regulate the change in economic value of Tarim River ecosystem service function and its trend in development.