The research status of ecological operation of cascade power stations in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River was reviewed. It is considered that the existing research is insufficient in the aspects of research breadth, determination of ecological operation goals, effective interaction between models and experimental research, the impact of climate change, and ecological operation management. It is necessary to further expand the research scope of ecological operation in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Basin, deepen the research on the formation mechanism of ecological problems related to hydropower development, strengthen the research on the quantitative, intelligent and simulation technology of ecological operation models, and establish a mutual feedback mode between model test and prototype test. According to the formation mechanism of relevant ecological problems, the relationship between ecological operation model and engineering practice, and the impact of climate change, a more specific, scientific and targeted ecological operation scheme can be formed to better promote the construction and operation of conventional ecological operation mechanisms in the upper Yangtze River Basin. Keywords: Yangtze River Basin; cascade hydropower stations; ecological operation; review 〖FL