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Land use changes can affect ecosystem services values (ESVs). In this study, we used crop yield data, ESV empirical data for different terrestrial ecosystems, land use data, and development policies in China to examine the impact of land use changes on ESVs, to compare their spatial differences, and to optimize China’s land use structure to maximize the total ESVs using a Linear Programming Model. We found that the assigned ESVs per unit in the three coastal regions presented relatively higher values than in the inland regions. A total of 21.1% of China’s land has been converted to other land use types; the conversion rates for different regions indicate the following: east > northeast > mid-south - > north > southwest > northwest. The total ESV decreased by 1.52% due to land use changes, which were mainly distributed in the northwestern, northeastern, and northern regions. The primary transitions that decreased ESVs, included an expansion of built-up land in most regions, decreased woodland in the northeast, and the degradation of grasslands in the northern, southwestern and northwestern regions of China. Our optimized land use structure for 2020 could increase the ESV by 1235.70 billion RMB; when compared with a comprehensive land use plan presented by Chinese government, this would increase the percentage by 8.05%. This result seems to be an effective approach for land managers to consider. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.