Periphyton (PHT), widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems, function as critical multi-interface carriers across water-sediment-atmosphere boundaries, playing vital ecological roles in energy flow, element cycling, and pollutant remediation. This work reviews recent advancements in the fields of PHT research, both in domestic and international contexts, emphasizing on the analysis of community structures and the corresponding characteristics exhibited under varying environmental conditions. The ecological functions of PHT within aquatic ecosystems are explored, along with the identification of key environmental factors like environmental conditions and media that influence its growth and ecological functions. PHT plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling within aquatic ecosystems. As primary producers, they offer essential nutrients to the ecosystem and serve as effective bioindicators of water quality, with the ability to bioaccumulate heavy metals. Key environmental factors such as temperature, light availability, and pH regulate the growth of PHT, with dominant species in the community shifting in response to changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, anthropogenic activities, nutrient loading, and soil conditions significantly influence the composition, structure, and functional dynamics of PHT communities. Additionally, this work evaluates the potential of the application of PHT-based research to environmental management, sustainable agricultural practices, as well as ecological amendment, with an emphasis on innovative eco-engineering solutions. According to these findings, present study recommends that future work should undertake more in-depth and systematic investigations into the roles of PHT in the degradation and treatment of emerging contaminants, the integration with multidisciplinary approaches and advanced technologies, as well as their applications in other fields. This review aims to provide a theoretical framework and scientific guidance for interdisciplinary research and industrial development on identifying PHT community structures, enhancing ecological functions, and advancing sustainable ecological restoration practices.