The Zoige wetlands accumulate > 300 t C ha−1 of SOC in the top 1 m of the soil.
The wetland soils were a net carbon sink of 0.25 t C ha−1 yr−1 from 1980 to 2010.
Drainage since 1980 decreased SOC by 4 t C ha−1.
Intense grazing had minor yet positive impacts on the SOC stock.
The results imply a need to control drainage to maintain the wetland SOC stock.