Grain for Green Project initiated in 1999 converts cropland to grassland/shrubland.
Impact of Grain for Green on carbon cycling on Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau is unknown.
Effects on carbon partitioning and turnover were accessed by 13CO2 pulse labeling.
Different mass of 13C in excess, similar 13C partitioning are shown in grasslands.
Soil organic carbon of cropland will be restored to natural grassland over 100 yr.