Abstract:Karst rock desertification is the most serious eco-geologically environmental problem in southwestern china. Lawn is the final barrier that protects the ecological environment in this karst area and plays an irreplaceable role in controlling karst rock desertification. This review summarizes advances in research on the distribution of karst, the problems from ecological and economic viewpoints, the role of grassland in the control of rock desertification, and the theory and technology of grassland construction in karst areas. Grassland construction in karst areas has some problems including unreasonable use of grassland, relatively low level of industrialization, and lack of research on grass water. We propose that research on the selection of drought-resistant grass species, grass water, grassland animal husbandry industrialization, low-cost building of artificial grasslands, and disaster prediction and control are urgent to address the problems in karst areas.