Abstract: The fate of terrestrial organic matter(TOM) is the key to understanding the global carbon cycling. The biodegradation and photodegradation in the migration and transformation process have an effect on the indicative use of lignin. In this review, the application of lignin as an indicator of TOM was briefly introduced, and the research status of lignin degradation was summarized. Finally, the effect of degradation on lignin indicators was focus on and the solution was referred to amend the degradation influence of lignin. The multi-tracer approach could provide the more accurate and reliable message. Meanwhile, the embedded research about lignin degradation will normalize the application of lignin as an indicator of TOM and highlight its application value.