Abstract:This review introduced the general theories on restoration ecology, especially on vegetation restoration theories. The target of vegetation restoration is to reconstruct the reasonable structure, function and dynamic processes of vegetation ecosystems, for improving/optimizing ecosystem services. The climax in the region can be taken as the reference ecosystem for vegetation restoration, but only part of the composition, structure, and function were restored in practice. Most of the vegetation restoration studies were focused on the causes and processes of degradation, and processes and mechanisms of restoration/reconstruction, companied with restoration practices on habitation, population, community, ecosystem and landscape scales. Based on a statement of problems in current vegetation ecosystems in southern China, a systemic review was given out about the vegetation restoration in southern China, especially the vegetation restoration researches carried out by South China Botanical Institute (Garden). Finally, the trends of vegetation restoration researches and practices in southern China were pointed out.
