Abstract: As a component of many forest ecosystems, Epiphytic material (EM) plays important ecological roles in nutrient cycling and conservation. The ecological research on EM in forest, which has become important content of forest canopies study and the basis for significant reappraisal of ecosystem function in temperate and tropical forest environments, have received much attention of scientists of ecology, biology, hydrology, etc. recently. This paper gives definition of EM, introduces background and contents of EM study, summarizes the advances on ecological researches of EM, and looks into the prospect for developing trend of EM study in the future. The paper points out that EMand its effects on nutrient cycling should be paid much attention in the study of structure and function of forest ecosystems in China in order to better understand the dynamics of forest ecosystem and make rational use and protection of forest resources.

Key words: maize, seasonal drought, crop water deficit index, developmental stage.