Abstract: It is urgent to resolve the problem of setting the minimum area of nature reserve,either for nature reserve construction and management or for the nature reserve science.However,this problem has not been resolved up to date because of its complexity.This paper discussed the complexity of this problem,and expounded the application and shortcomings of the theory of island biogeography,population viability analysis,minimum viable population,effective population theorg and the stability of community or ecosystem in setting the minimum area of nature reserve.Afterwards,some possible ways helping to resolve this problem were suggested,such as the application of metapopulation theory and landscape ecology,reinforcing researches on the application of population viability analysis in setting the minimum area of nature reserve.Dispersal of germs and community succession rules as well as the characteristics of animal behavior can be taken into account in some nature reserves.