Supported by geographical information system, using Costanza method and referring to terrestrial ecosystem service value in China, the influence of land use and land cover change (LUCC) between 1980 and 2000 on ecosystem service value in the up and middle reaches of Dongting Lake basin was analyzed in this study. The results showed that the estimated value of ecosystem services decreased 8.416 9×10~8 CNY over a 21-year period, and the main reasons were that the land for forest use was exploited for cropland and construction land use in study area. Further analysis results showed that the value of single ecosystem service function such as gas regulation, climate regulation, soil formation and conservation, biodiversity conservation, raw materials as well as recreation decreased significantly; and that of provision of water conservation, waste treatment and food production increased obviously in the area. The results of coefficient sensitivity analysis indicated that these estimates were reliable.