Abstract: The Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation is one of the important targets for shale gas exploration in the western Hubei province. In view of the relatively weak research on the paleo-sedimentary environment of the 1st member of Niutitang Formation (Ꞓ₁n¹), the paleo-climate, paleo-redox conditions and paleo-productivity of the Ꞓ₁n¹ were comprehensively studied based on data collected from well ZD-1 on the southern margin of the Huangling anticline in Yichang area, and a model of the evolution of sedimentary environment was proposed. Compared with the organic-poor strata, the organic-rich strata have higher TOC content, much higher SiO₂, U, V, Ni, Zn and Cu contents, and lower CaO content. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) shows that the Ꞓ₁n¹ has experienced weathering effect of moderate intensity. The climate was warm and humid when the organic-rich layers deposited, and became hot and wet when the upper layers deposited. The redox conditions of Ꞓ₁n¹ have experienced 3 stages, including euxinic in the lower part of organic-rich strata, dysoxic in the upper part of organic-rich strata, and oxic in organic-poor strata. In general, the study area developed in a weak-medium retention basin. The ratio of Mo_EF/U_EF is usually 1-3 times than that of normal seawater due to the high content of Mo, showing much higher retention rate. The organic-rich strata have higher paleo-productivity, and there are 2 periods of rapid decline of paleo-productivity, which is directly related to the change of water from anaerobic to oxidized due to the decrease of sea level. According to paleo-climate, paleo-redox conditions and paleo-productivity characteristics, the Ꞓ₁n¹ can be divided into 3 evolution stages.