Pyrogenic carbon(PyC) is a continuum that is produced by incomplete combustion of biomass or fossil fuels. On account of the high stability of PyC,it is a vital potential carbon(C) sink,which plays an important role in global C cycling and climate change. As the main part of terrestrial ecosystems,forest ecosystems have been disturbed by forest fires of different sizes and intensities every year. Therefore,a lot of PyC is accumulated in forest ecosystems. Moreover,with global warming,the forest fire occurrence and burned area will increase,and so will the accumulation of PyC. The PyC has become an important part of C pool in forest ecosystems. However,PyC pool in forests has not been considered in the forest ecosystem C cycle and its related ecological models. This paper reviews PyC identification and quantification,PyC in forests,ecological roles of PyC and estimation of PyC stock. Finally,we discuss future directions of forest PyC study to provide reference for the related studies of forest C budget and C cycle in China.