Keywords: 
• forest ecology /
• forest ecosystem /
• coarse woody debris（CWD） /
• dynamic characteristics /
• ecological function /
• management strategy /
• review

Abstract: Coarse woody debris（CWD）is an important structural and a functional element in forest ecosystems. CWD is found in forest ecosystem nutrient cycling, carbon storage，and community regeneration；it is also beneficial for organisms providing habitats and other linkages. It is also conducive to the energy flow and material cycling of forest ecosystems. CWD is useful for conducting effective scientific quantitative research to understand the carbon cycle and carbon balance. This paper reviews CWD research progress in forest ecosystems covering 4 critical issues: （1） origin and classification of CWDs，（2） research methods for CWDs，（3）dynamics of CWDs （including study level，study area，storage and composition of CWDs，nutrient storage，decomposition dynamics，carbon storage，and the carbon cycle），and （4） ecological functions of CWDs. Four methods to improve quantitative research as well as structural and functional research are proposed:（1） improving research methods，（2） offering CWD as a basis for quantitative data，（3） accumulating background data, and （4） building a rich and informative CWD database. Emphasis is placed on CWD structure and function. Another aspect is strengthening the influence of human activities on CWDs，and CWD impact on ecosystem structure and function. This study provides quantitative development of CWD ecological functions with modeling. Additionally，quantitative study of the CWD decomposition rate and the role of CWDs in biogeochemical cycles，in global carbon cycling，and in carbon balance is discussed. Interactions of dynamic characteristics for CWDs and forest succession are mentioned as well as optimization of CWD sustainable management methods and management strategies. ［Ch，64 ref.］