Abstract Peatland carbon stability reflects the vertical distribution of organic-carbon fractions and their response to changing hydrothermal conditions. We quantified soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), measured carbon stability index (CSI), soil properties, and extracellular enzyme activities across five depth intervals within the upper 0–80 cm profiles of three contrasting Altai peatland sites.
