Forest degradation is a problem taking place throughout the world. Restoration evaluation of degraded forests is a base for rational management of forest ecosystems. In this paper, the concept of forest degradation was introduced and the common procedures of restoration evaluation on degraded forest ecosystem were summarized, which included the goal-setting of restoration, the choice of reference ecosystem, establishment of evaluation indicator system and quantitative approaches of restoration evaluation. At present, most of restoration evaluation on degraded forest ecosystems covered three aspects, i.e. species diversity, vegetation structure and ecological processes. Species diversity focused on species richness and abundance, etc. Vegetation structure emphasized on vegetation coverage, tree density, tree height, basal area of trees, biomass and components of litter, etc. The ecological process centered on nutrient pools, soil organic matter and the biological interactions, etc. Due to different interests and demands for forest ecosystem services among researchers and managers, evaluation objective and its indicator system can be different at scales from special population to whole ecosystem. Based on deep understanding of forest degradation concept, defining the practical goal and choosing the appropriate reference system are the premises of restoration evaluation.