Abstract: The distribution of soil organic carbon in temperate grassland in Xilinguole, Inner Mongolia was examined. Soil organic carbon content varied considerably among the sites and along soil profile. It increased along the gradient from desert steppe, typical steppe to meadow steppe, while it decreased depth. It distributed mainly in 0～15cm of the top soil layer, The effect of landuse pattern on soil organic carbon content Was also investigated. In the meadow steppe, organic carbon of soil (0～35cm) was seriously affected by the conversion of grasslands to croplands. It decreased by 35%～38%. While in the typical steppe area where grazing management works as primary landuse pattern, it was not affected by grazing intensities in the 17 years.