Abstract: Ecosystem services act as a bridge between ecosystem structures, processes and human well-being. Valuating ecosystem services can be used to evaluate changes in the quality of ecosystems, to provide a reliable basis for formulating payment for ecosystem services policies, and to promote ecosystem protection and ecological civilization construction. Here, the classification system of ecosystem services is reviewed and the valuation cases are summarized, mainly focusing on the regulation and cultural services. The research history of ecosystem service valuation could be divided into four stages: qualitative description, rapid development, diversification, and integrated application. The similarities and differences of four classification systems for major ecosystem services are compared. Formulas and parameters for valuation of the main regulation services, and new approaches and trends in cultural service valuation are summarized. There are still problems in aspects of scientific and normative data and the interface between scientific research and practical policies. Future research should focus on defining data precision and temporal and spatial scales of evaluation according to their utilization, continuing to develop standardized systems of value evaluation indicators, and in-depth understanding the relationship between evaluation of ecosystem services and human well-being and sustainable development.

Key words: ecosystem services, regulation services, cultural services, evaluation.