Large area of arid deserts is an important carbon pool,and the carbon cycle in these areas is also a key ecological process impacting atmospheric CO_2 concentration and global change.Understanding current research status of soil carbon cycle has important significance for accurately estimating global carbon budget.To provide references for desertification control and rational utility of regional soil and water resources,research status of soil carbon distribution,soil carbon flux process and influencing factors in arid desert regions were systematically reviewed.It was demonstrated that current studies are not sufficient on soil carbon sequestration mechanisms,carbon transfer and destination,multi-scale carbon cycle in desert ecosystem,response processes and mechanisms of desert ecosystem to climate change,and etc.Thus,these issues need further study.Meanwhile,it is very necessary to establish a national monitoring network of carbon fluxes for desert ecosystems,and to strengthen the sustainable management of soil carbon in deserts.