Abstract: The roles of plants and microorganisms in carbon sequestration have been extensively studied. However, the roles of soil animals in the formation, transformation, and stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC), as well as their synergistic mechanisms with microorganisms and plants, remain unclear. This review synthesizes multidisciplinary advances to examine the regulatory effects of soil animals, microorganisms, and plants, as well as their interaction networks, on SOC dynamics, focusing the unique role of soil animals in carbon sequestration. Additionally, we propose a new conceptual framework: Soil Faunal Carbon Pump (SFCP), to reassess the ecological significance of soil animals in carbon cycling. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for deepening mechanistic understanding of soil carbon cycling and refining the prediction of carbon sink under global change. Furthermore, it seeks to open new avenues for future research in related fields and to foster the expansion and advancement of knowledge in this domain.

Key words: soil organism, soil organic carbon, carbon pump, carbon cycle