Nature-based coastal ecological restoration and protection has attracted increasing attention. In terms of physical experiments on the effects of coastal vegetation on hydrodynamics and sediment transport， the description method of vegetation including classification， material selection and characterization was introduced. The field structure， wave damping and flow resistance under the influence of vegetation were reviewed. Sediment transport aspects such as distribution of suspended sediment concentration， sediment resuspension， deposition and erosion patterns were discussed. Finally， future research prospects were presented.