Rapid urbanization and industrialization often and increasingly cause soil contamination. Accumulation of toxic chemicals in soil may affect growth, reproduction and survival of plants, animals and micro-organisms in the terrestrial eco-systems, and may even threaten ecosystems quite a distance away from the source of pollution. Therefore, ecological risk assessment (ERA) is used to predict ecological domino effects triggered by contamination of the soils, and quantitatively measure magnitude and probability of risks. This article gives a brief introduction of ERA methodology developed in America and Europe, and reviews, current advances, existing problems and future trends in ERA research and development, hoping that through this effort development in ERA of polluted soils and establishment of risk-based Soil Environmental Quality Guidelines in China would be promoted.