Abstract: Background The soil carbon pool is the largest and most active organic carbon pool in terrestrial ecosystems, playing a huge role in the global carbon cycle. Although a large number of studies have explored the impacts of vegetation restoration on soil organic carbon, the differences in research regions, vegetation types, research methods, and time scales make the research results are highly divergent. Methods To unify the evaluation of the impacts from vegetation type, soil depth, climate, topography, soil properties, and management measures on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation during vegetation restoration in China, relevant peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2022 were collected and their findings on the effects of various factors on SOC accumulation were quantitatively analysed by Meta-analysis in this study. Results 1) vegetation restoration significantly increased SOC content in different soil layers, and increasing rates on SOC accumulation in forests are more pronounced. 2) SOC accumulation under different vegetation restoration types increased with rising mean annual temperature and precipitation. Grasslands and shrublands showed their maximum accumulation effect on SOC in the range of 10-15℃. Forests demonstrated the optimal SOC accumulation under annual precipitation between 800 and 2000 mm. 3) Topographic factors such as slope gradient and direction also influenced SOC accumulation. Gentler slopes were more conducive to SOC retention. Sunny slopes, with higher surface temperatures from increased solar radiation, promoted plant photosynthesis and root growth, enhancing SOC accumulation. 4) SOC is more likely accumulated in soil bulk density range of 1.2-1.3 g/cm³ and clay content range of 20-32%. Slightly acidic soils were more favorable for increasing SOC content. 5) Prolonged vegetation restoration duration and artificial management also effectively promoted SOC accumulation. Conclusions This study deepens the understanding of SOC accumulation effects and mechanisms under different environmental conditions, providing a theoretical basis for formulating scientific vegetation restoration and management strategies, and improving the accuracy and reliability of research on carbon pool dynamics during vegetation restoration.