Kobresia humilis as a keynote species of alpine meadow is of enormous significance to the stability of local ecological environment and the development of animal husbandry in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau because of its important ecological value, its nutritional value, its grazing value, and its ability to tolerate cold climate and resist stress. The living environment and development of Kobresia humilis have been badly damaged due to global warming, long-term intensive grazing, and the destruction by mice activities. These processes have caused a series of existing or potential effects on the ecological system of alpine meadow. Therefore, researchers have studied Kobresia humilis and its ecological system from various aspects so as to make sustainable use of Kobresia humilis meadow. In this paper, we summarized the latest research advances about Kobresia humilis resource, including its characteristics, adaptation to natural disturbance and human-triggered disturbance, and the changed environment in its morphological structure, physiological and ecological characteristics etc. This review will serve as a valuable scientific reference for future researches on Kobresia humilis, sustainable utilization, protection and restoring of alpine meadow grassland.