Ecosystem service cascade: Concept, review, application and prospect

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Ecosystem service cascade (ESC) links each component of ecosystem services with social value, building an interdisciplinary research bridge between natural science and social science, which can help decision-makers better integrate the concept of ecosystem services into decision-making. This paper combed the content of the concept of ecosystem services cascade effect, reviewed the research progress of the cascade effect found: ESC due to its structure feature and flexibility, can help researchers to more fully understand the concept of ecosystem services to promote interdisciplinary communication, constantly adjust the structure of the ESC and scope in order to improve the applicability of the model in different research. ESC is widely used in ecosystem service mapping and regional policy regulation. Through literature review, We get the following understanding ①The purpose of research often determines the definition of services and policy preferences, a clear definition of the system will improve the applicability of the ESC framework. ②Assess the wishes and connections of stakeholders and quantify the forms of human participation and impact on each component in the cascade framework, clarify the development characteristics and driving mechanism of Human -Natural relationship, identify the feedback process and quantify the positive and negative feedback cycle.③Quantitatively simulate the impact and regulation of climate change and socio-economic development on regional development under different regional development scenarios. Construct the optimization index system of ESC components to provide schemes and Countermeasures for regional sustainable development.