Abstract: The basic point of the development of the Yangtze River economic belt is "promoting well-coordinated environmental conservation and avoiding excessive development". After concluding the main ecological and environmental problems of the Yangtze River Basin, this paper discusses the relationship between the Yangtze River conservation and watershed ecology from the following aspects: (1) core of the Yangtze River conservation is adopting a holistic approach to protect mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands; (2)the life community for mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands is the watershed ecosystem; (3) Watershed ecosystem is a typical Meta-Ecosystem. In addition, some suggestions are put forward from the perspectives of scientific research, planning management and education to provide service for meeting the national needs of the Yangtze River conservation.