河岸带是河流生态系统中的重要生态过渡带，也是河流生态系统中物质输移、能量转化最活跃的区域。河岸带在河流生态系统中发挥着重要的作用，因此关于河岸带的相关研究是国内外河流生态研究的热点之一。该文通过对河岸带定义、范围、特征及其功能的研究进行综述，指出了目前关于河岸带此方面理论研究的进度和成果，为深入研究河岸带提供了更为丰富的理论依据。

An important transition area of river ecosystem, riparian zone is the most active area with material transportation and energy conversion in the river bank environment. Riparian zone as an important part in the river ecosystem, is a hot topic in the study of river ecology around the world. This paper makes a review on the researches in the definition, scope, characteristics and functions of the riparian zone, and presents the progress and results of theoretical researches in this regard. The paper provides a more extensive theoretical basis for further study.