Water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of reservoir is located in the interlaced area between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. Under the influence of periodic fluctuation of reservoir water level, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) exchanges and transformation frequently occur between soil and plant of WLFZ and water body of reservoir. C burial and greenhouse gas emission of river-reservoir are hot issues in the global C cycle, however, current studies on WLFZ C and N cycles were only focused on single object such as plant, soil or water body, and did not take WLFZ as a whole in considering its contribution to river-reservoir C and N transport and transformation. This paper reviewed study progresses in the changes of soil C and N contents, C and N inputs by vegetation, soil erosion, C and N cycles and greenhouse gas emission from two aspects of transport and transformation of nutrients in the WLFZ. In order to further systematically clarify the multi-pathway biogeochemical cycling and transformation processes of C and N between WLFZ and water bodies and in soil and water interfaces and evaluate the role of WLFZ in C and N transport and transformation in upstream, downstream and estuary of river, it is suggested that to urgently carry out researches on tracing C and N input sources in WLFZ, long-term monitoring of soil erosion and greenhouse gas flux in WLFZ, and WLFZ contribution to C and N transport and transformation of reservoir based on isotopes, etc.