[Objective] To understand the water consumption law in the ecological restoration of Tarim River, in order to provide references for the rational planning and allocation of ecological water.[Methods] Data including MODIS NDVI and evapotranspiration(ET) was collected in subsection of Alar-Daxixaizi in Tarim River from 2000 to 2014. Mann-Kendall method and Theil-Sen median trend analysis was used to investigate the spatiotemporal variations and the relationships between vegetation cover and ET.[Results] ① In the Alar-Daxixaizi section of the Tarim River, the average value of NDVI and ET years was 0.33 and 118.41 mm, respectively. The spatial variation of the NDVI and ET was highly consistent, both were characterized as:upper reach (Alar-14th regiment) > down reach (Charla-Daxixaizi) > middle reach (14th regiment-Charla). The spatial distribution of ET was controlled by vegetation cover. ② For the inter-annual variability, the difference between the spatial variations of NDVI and ET was obvious, and the change trends of them were generally reversed. NDVI increased significantly (Z_C>1.96), while ET decreased (-1.96 < Z_C < 0). NDVI in 48.83% of the whole area decreased, which mainly located at the middle reach. The proportion of ET with decreasing trend accounted for 70.57% of the whole area, which was widely distributed in the middle and down reach. ③ Compared to NDVI, runoff and water vapor pressure, the annual variation of ET was more closely related to temperature and precipitation.[Conclusion] Although the spatial distribution of the ET in Tarim River was controlled by the vegetation cover, the spatiotemporal variations between them was distinct.