Abstract: Eco-hydrology is a discipline that explores and reveals the mechanism of hydrology that forms the ecological pattern and process.The application of eco-hydrology has a positive effect on solving current problems which are related to water and ecology in China.In this paper,ecological hydrology development background and necessity are elaborately illustrated;the definition of ecological hydrology is proposed;the issues on eco-hydrology study are summarized.Moreover,the latest international research trends and domestic development strategy on eco-hydrology are introduced.