Soil erosion under forest is a typical phenomenon of hydraulic erosion in red soil hilly regions of South China. It not only causes decline of soil quality and affects productivity of forest soils, but also destroys local ecological environment and hinders development of regional economy. This study firstly analyzed causes of the soil erosion under forest in this region, reviewed progresses in current researches on prevention and control of the soil erosion under forest and then explored in depth effects and application scope of the measures so far adopted for prevention and control of soil erosion under forest on soil and water conservation, soil fertility improvement and revegetation. At the end, the paper specified deficiencies of the current researches on prevention of soil erosion under forest in this region, and presented prospects of the researches in future. The paper suggests that future efforts should be devoted to renovation of the mode for control of soil erosion under forest, development of a technology system for comprehensive prevention and control of the erosion, intensification of technical guidance on implementation of soil and water conservation measures for control the erosion, and construction of a comprehensive evaluation index system for the soil erosion control measures. It is expected that the paper may serve as a theoretical basis for selection and application of appropriate measures for prevention and control of soil erosion under forest in red soil hilly regions of South China.