Abstract: By searching soil seed bank (SSB) papers from http://www.cqvip.com (19 89〖KG-*2〗-〖KG-*7〗2006) and Web of Science (1985〖KG-*2〗-〖KG-*7〗2006), the information on SSB density, species richness, and research methods were summarized according to the 29 classified v egetation types in Vegetation of China. In total, the data of 238 sites with 14 vegetation types were collected. The results showed that the research methods ad opted by different researchers and the obtained data of SSB density and species richness varied greatly. In related researches, sampling work was mostly conduct ed in April and October, sampling plot number ranged from 2 to 480, plot area ra nged from 78 cm2 to 10000 cm2, with 10 cm×10 cm and 20 cm×20 cm as most common, and total sampling area ranged from 600 cm2 to 500000 cm2, with the most being 1000〖KG-*2〗-〖KG-*7〗10000 cm2. SSB density varied from 8 ind·m-2(desert) to 65355 ind·m-2 (tropical rain forest), and spe cies richness varied from 1 (secondary bare alkali-saline patch in temperate) t o 74 (tropical seasonal rain forest) per site. SSB density and species richness were higher in tropical rain forest and seasonal rain forest than in temperate c oniferous forest, and in manmade forest than in agricultural land or barren land. Grassland, desert, and meadow had sma ller species richness. In future, the SSB research should be extended both in sc ope and in deepness, with the focus on the long term research and strategy resea rch of some important ecosystems, and the research should be incorporated into v egetation regeneration and restoration studies. The related methodological resea rch should be also emphasized in the future.