[Objective] The ecological source area was identified in Akesu area, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in order to provide strategies and suggestions for the construction of the ecological security pattern of the region and the sustainable ecological restoration of the land and space. [Methods] Taking Aksu area in Xinjiang as an example, the ecological source area were identified by quantitative method (comprehensive evaluation method based on the InVEST model) and qualitative method (the ecological conservation redline was identified in the direct way). On this basis, the differences between the two results and their causes were compared to determine whether the ecological protection red line could reflect human demand for ecosystem services. [Results] ① The ecological source area identified based on the comprehensive evaluation method using the InVEST model was 11 433.6 km², accounting for 8.9% of the total area, mainly distributed in the rivers and surrounding areas. The ecological source area identified directly based on the ecological conservation redline was 22 746.8 km², accounting for 17.7% of the total study area, mainly distributed in the south of Tianshan Mountain and surrounding areas of rivers. ② There are great differences in the spatial distribution of the ecological source areas identified by the two methods. About 59.4% area of the ecological source identified by comprehensive evaluation was not in the ecological conservation redline, occupying 6 787.0 km². ③ The main reason for the difference between the two results was that the ecological conservation redline focused on the protection of ecological functions of the ecological land, while the concept of ecological source combined the requirements of human beings, and prefered the services that the ecological system provided to human production and living. [Conclusion] In the future, it is necessary to consider how to unify the concept of the ecological source areas that focus on meeting the social requirements with the ecological conservation redline that focus on the ecological environment conservation. We should define the ecological source in a comprehensive manner, based on the quantitively identified ecological source as the primary factor and the qualitatively identified ecological source as the secondary factor, and propose advices for potential plans and policies to realize the coordinated development of the social economy and natural environment.