Abstract: The ecosystem services cascade (ESC), which connects the components of ecosystem services with social value and builds a bridge between natural science and social science, can help decision-makers better integrate the concept of ecosystem services into decision-making. We reviewed the concept and the research progress of ESC. From the perspective of theory, the theoretical research of ESC mainly focused on how to accurately define each component and the causal relationship among different components, improve the practicability and applicability of ESC model, and how to effectively connect stakeholders and ecosystem service structure. From the perspective of application, ESC played an important role in ecosystem services mapping, ecosystem services assessment, and policy making. There were still great uncertainties in index selection and mutual feedback mechanism. Future research should be strengthened from the following aspects: to pay more attention to the structure process and classification standard of ecosystem services, to make up the lack of ESC of the feedback mechanism through multi-model fusion and regional survey, and to provide scientific guidance for human-earth coupling and sustainable development combined with regional characteristics .

Key words: ecosystem service, cascade effect, research progress, feedback mechanism