Abstract: By using GIS-RS techniques and the table ‘Equivalent weight of China terrestrial ecosystems services value’, in combining with the local grain yield and grain purchasing price, this paper analyzed the changes of  osystem services value in Aksu River watershed in 1960-2008, and explored the responses of ecosystem services value change in arid trans-boundary river watershed to land use/cover change. Overall, the ecosystem services value in Aksu River watershed in 1960-2008 changed slightly, with the total value increased after an initial decrease. The main cause of the initial decrease was the area decrease of wetland, woodland, and grassland. The area increase of cropland and water body partly offset the loss of the total value, but the loss was still larger than the gain. The contribution of each ecosystem service value to the total ecosystem services value had less change, and the service value from soil formation and protection together with waste treatment contributed most. There was a significant spatial heterogeneity in the magnitude and the variation of cosystem services value, with the downstream of the watershed changed significantly. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the estimated total ecosystem services value in the study area was inelastic to the services value coefficients, and the results shown in this paper were robust.

Key words: trans-boundary river, ecosystem services value, land use/cover change, Aksu River, intercropping, iron, zinc, rhizosphere interactions, biofortification.