Abstract: A spatial series representing the temporal sequence of vegetation restoration on Nan’ao island (Guangdong, China) was studied investigating community structure, leaf area index (LAI), biomass, and soil fertility in eight communities in an examination of the process of vegetation restoration on the island. The species richness of the communities in the spatial series proceeded from degraded grassland through artificial forests to secondary forests. The number of the heliophytes in the communities decreased gradually, while mesophytes increased with the process of vegetation restoration. The biomass of degraded grassland, ten-year-old-artificial- forest, fifteen-year-old-artificial-forest and secondary forests were 4.8 t·hm-2, 45 t·hm-2, 100 t·hm-2 and 88 t·hm-2, respectively, while the LAI of this sequence was 1.04, 3.81, 5.89 and 6. 52. The quantity of stand litter also increased as 0.42t·hm-2, 3.20t·hm-2, 3.70t·hm-2and 4.90t·hm-2, respectively. The soil organic matter, total N, available P and exchangeable K were gradually increasing during the process of vegetation restoration. This vegetation restoration pattern was different from that of the mainland due to varying ecological habitat of the island, windiness and storm impact on the island. Most notable was the slower speed of vegetation restoration on the island relative to mainland. In this and similar environments secondary forests represent the pool of species diversity and are very important for sustaining the biodiversity of the island. The paper presents a rational plan for vegetation restoration on the island.