Sensitivity is a hot topic of global change research. It provides scientific basis for human to adapt to global change with the knowledge of the interaction between global change and ecological security. Based on the discussing the concepts and contents of sensitivity on the context of global change, a research framework of sensitivity was put forward. After enumerating the objects, fields and targets of sensitivity analysis and sensitivity assessment, the methods and practices of sensitivity analysis were systematically summarized from biological experiments, field observations, models and statistical analysis. Meanwhile, an overview of sensitivity assessment through non-vulnerability framework and vulnerability framework were provided. Sensitivity assessment was an important portion of vulnerability framework in many projects, but it also appeared separately when assessing the sensitivity of natural ecosystem to environment changes. Finally the characteristics of sensitivity research at the present stage were discussed; the emphases and the development direction of sensitivity research were pointed out.