Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of different farmland-to-forest conversion models, such as coniferous forests, broad-leaved forests, and mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests, on soil organic carbon storage and composition in subalpine semi-arid regions, providing a scientific basis for clarifying the impacts of different types of farmland-to-forest conversions in the southern foothills of the Qilian Mountains on soil organic carbon components and carbon and nitrogen storage. Methods Using cropland as a control, the research focused on 35-year-old stands of birch broadleaf forest, spruce coniferous forest, and birch-spruce mixed forest. Soil samples were collected from five depth intervals (0—20, 20—40, 40—60, 60—80 and 80—100 cm) for the determination and calculation of carbon and nitrogen storage, SOC fractions, and the carbon pool management index (CPMI). Results (1) Across the 0—100 cm soil profile, SOC storage among the reforested stands decreased in the order: spruce coniferous forest>mixed forest>birch broadleaf forest. All reforestation lands significantly increased SOC storage compared to cropland (p<0.05). In the topsoil (0—20 cm), SOC storage was highest in broadleaf forest, followed by mixed and coniferous forests, whereas this trend was reversed in the 20—100 cm soil layers. (2) Mixed forests exhibited the highest nitrogen storage within the 0—100 cm soil profile (p<0.05). Within the 0—40 cm soil layers, nitrogen storage followed the sequence: mixed forest>broadleaf forest>coniferous forest. (3) Particulate organic carbon (POC) content in the topsoil was significantly greater in forested land than in cropland (p<0.05), though no significant differences were detected in the 20—100 cm soil layers (p>0.05). In contrast, mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) was significantly higher in cropland than in forest soils within the 20—100 cm soil layers (p<0.05). (4) The mixed forest showed the highest CPMI in the topsoil, while both broadleaf and mixed forests displayed higher CPMI values within the 20—80 cm soil layers. The CPMI provided a comprehensive assessment of SOC stability and clarified the effects of different forest types established through farmland-to-forest conversion on soil nutrient retention and carbon pool stability. Conclusion In the southern foothills of the Qilian Mountains and similar ecologically fragile areas, priority should be given to promoting birch broadleaf forests and coniferous-broadleaf mixed forests for farmland-to-forest conversion. These two types of forest stands demonstrate significant advantages in soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage within the 0—100 cm soil profile, along with a higher carbon pool management index. This reflects superior carbon sequestration capacity, nitrogen retention ability, and carbon pool stability. Therefore, adopting them as the preferred configuration for ecological restoration, supported by policy guidance and long-term monitoring, can maximize the contribution potential of forest land to the “dual-carbon” strategy.
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