Abstract: In ecology, the research value of litter as a transition layer is increasingly important. In order to further explore the existing characteristics and hotspots of litter, this paper analyzes the relevant methods of bibliometrics, and uses the literature in the China Knowledge Network Database (CNKI) and Web of Science core database collection as the basic data sources. High-frequency word co-word matrices and keyword networked maps in the research literature were obtained using software such as Bibexcel, Ucinet, and Netdraw. Then use SPSS for cluster analysis, the research content is divided into five clusters, based on which the characteristics of the litter and future research directions are analyzed. The results show that: (1) The research on litter at home and abroad is based on the amount of literature published. The international start time is earlier. The domestic research is about 10 years behind the international, but the growth rate of domestic publications and speed is significantly higher than that. Internationally; both have begun to mature and develop in the 21st century. 2 Domestic litter research is mainly based on the links among various factors within the forest ecosystem; foreign countries are more inclined to study the decomposition of litter, the return of soil nutrients and the transformation of chemical elements, resulting in climate change and environmental The degree of pollution is a hot spot in this field. 3 Through co-occurrence network visualization analysis, the litter, litter decomposition, biomass, plantation, soil nutrient, nitrogen deposition and other words can be used as research hotspots and future extensions in the field. Direction of development. 4 Through cluster analysis, there are similar parts in domestic and foreign research, all related to the decomposition of litter, the influence of chemical elements and litter, soil texture. But the difference between the two is that the domestic focus is on the study of the linkages between the various factors within the forest ecosystem, while the international focus on the decomposition of litter, the return of soil nutrients and the transformation of chemical elements, the climate change and The degree of environmental pollution. It can be concluded that the research on litter is the focus at home and abroad. In the future, international cooperation should be strengthened, focusing on the impact of changes in litter characteristics on climate change and environmental pollution.