Riparian reforestation: are there changes in soil carbon and soil microbial communities?

• Soil chemical and biological responses to riparian reforestation were investigated.
• Sequestration of SOC was highly variable two decades after reforestation.
• SOC concentration was strong driver of microbial biomass and activity.
• Reforestation developed soil microbial communities similar to native woodlands.
• The role of soil microbes in the soil C cycle needs to be better understood.