In order to improve ecosystem services and protect national ecological security in China,national key ecological function zones (NKEFZ) were designated,and the policy of financial transfer payment was established to protect ecosystems and environment in those zones.In order to evaluate the ecological effects of financial transfer payment policy,this study analyzed the dynamics of ecosystem macrostructure and key ecosystem services quantitatively before (2000-2010) and after (2010-2015) the implementation of financial transfer payment policy based on remote sensing data,Geographic Information System and ecological models in the NKEFZ.Water regulation service was simulated based on precipitation storage method,soil conservation service was simulated by Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation,and sand fixation service was simulated by Revised Wind Erosion Equation.The results showed that:grassland and forest were main ecosystem types in NKEFZ.After implementation of the financial transfer payment policy,the ecosystem condition of NKEFZ has been improved overall.Desertification has been effectively controlled,with an area decrease of 1 976.44 km~2.Water and wetlands have been restored with an area expansion of 514.32 km~2.However,ecological degradation still existed in some local NKEFZ.The area of forest and grassland ecosystems in NKEFZ have slightly decreased by 0.13% and 0.29%,respectively,and farmland and settlements areas have expanded significantly by 1.2% and 17.03%.In terms of ecosystem services,water regulation service has been improved,with water conservation volume increasing by 1.37%;Soil water erosion has been curbed and soil conservation service has been improved dramatically,with the soil loss and conservation volume changed by-9.06% and 10.78%,especially those NKEFZ located in the northeast and central regions of China;Soil wind erosion has also been curbed,with soil loss decreasing by 26.46%,however,the sand fixation service has declined by 26.59% overall.The threat of human activities on biodiversity maintenance remained relatively stable,with human disturbance index increasing 0.000 9.Under the joint effects of climate change and the implementation of financial transfer payment policy,the ecosystem conditions in the NKEFZ have been generally improved,which meant the policy has achieved ecological benefits to a certain extent.However,the increase of cultivated land and settlement area,reduction of grassland and forest area,the decrease of sand fixation service,and the acceleration of the increase of human disturbance all indicated that the ecological degradation still existed.In order to protect the NKEFZ effectively and realize the planning objectives,continuous efforts are still needed.