Abstract: Periodic prescribed burning is an important way to artificial and scientific forest management. Periodic prescribed burning has many advantages, including economic practicality, ecological protection, reducing fire risks, and maintaining the top fire ecological system. The effects of periodic prescribed burning on forest ecosystem are discussed from the aspects of biotope, forest vegetation and biodiversity, the future research direction and trends are prospected. The results of this review are beneficial to master the basic rules of prescribed burning of ecosystems, to make the fire becoming tools and means of forest culture and management, to give full playing to the positive role of fire in the development of forest ecosystems, and to provide a theoretical basis for the popularization and application of prescribed burning in forest fire prevention and suppression.