The scarcity of undergrowth vegetation has already become a common but outstanding problem,existing in a large portion of Pinus massonianaforest ecosystems in the eroded red soil area of southern China.Accordingly,making every effort to restore the undergrowth vegetation in degraded masson pine community is of great significance for reversing regressive succession of inefficient Pinus massonianaforests and improving local ecological environment.This paper analyzed the main causes leading to the problem of undergrowth vegetation scarcity in some Pinus massoniana ecosystems and then presented a comprehensive discussion on the limiting factors to undergrowth vegetation recovery from several aspects,such as soil nutrient status,soil physical properties,high summer temperature,seasonal drought,soil acidification and human disturbances.Several effective countermeasures and successful recovery models,which had already been proven by practices,were put forward to solve the problems of how to control soil and water loss in woodland,improve degraded woodland and reduce human disturbances.It is expected to provide references for future research on the transformation and restoration of degraded Pinus massoniana forests in the eroded red soil area of southern China.