There is a complex relation between groundwater and vegetation, which involves dynamic balance between groundwater, soil and vegetation. The change of groundwater can cause the transport of water-salt in soil, this outcome influences the growth, distribution and succession of vegetation. This paper firstly summarized the current progress of study on relation between groundwater and soil moisture, soil salinity, vegetation, surface desertification etc. Secondly, it studied the important role of rational groundwater depth on vegetation. The study on relationship between groundwater and vegetation and understanding of vegetation degradation process and mechanism aimed at ecological negative effects caused by groundwater are an important tool important of groundwater management and ecosystem protection so as to copy with future climate change and human activity . Finally, it indicated that eco-effects caused by groundwater is still the future research direction.