Abstract: Coarse Woody Debris(CWD)plays an important role in the structure and function of forest ecosystem. It has great relations with the species diversity, stability and long-term productivity of forest ecosystem. Ecologists are paying more and more attentions to the research of the ecologioal functions of CWD in forest ecosystem and its implications for forest management. Related research has not been conducted systematically in China. This paper reviews the history, current situation and future tendency of CWD research. Current development of the CWD research in China is also introduced.

Key words: mycorrhizal fungi, fertilization, Elymus nutans, nitrogen, phosphorus, resource availability