Abstract: As an important component of riparian ecosystem, riparian vegetative buffer strip is a key measure to control water and soil loss and non-point source pollution and to improve water environment. And it has an important influence on the ecological and hydrological processes of riparian ecosystem. In this article, the research status of riparian vegetative buffer strip in China and abroad is reviewed and the main functions, main factors and mechanism affecting its functional performance are summarized. Moreover, the design, management and benefit evaluation of the riparian vegetative buffer strip are expounded. The development trend of researches on riparian vegetative buffer strip in the future and the important directions which need focuses are also put forward. This article could provide reference and draw lesson for future researches on riparian vegetative buffer strip and have theoretical value and practical significance.

Key words: riparian vegetative buffer strip, water environment pollution, water and soil loss, non-point source pollution, filtration mechanism, ecological service