Soil organic carbon pool has a direct effect on global carbon balance, so research of soil organic carbon pool is the key of researches on the global carbon cycling. Understanding of soil organic carbon dynamics and its mechanisms under impact of human activities will not only reduce the uncertainty of predicting climate change in the future, but also provide theoretical references for technology selection and incentive policy making for soil carbon sequestration. The researchers reviewed the domestic and overseas study advances on effects of human activities on soil organic carbon pool, especially the effects of land use changes, tillage methods and management practices on soil organic carbon pool. Lastly, some suggestions were presented to mitigate anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, promote carbon sequestration, and maintain sustainable development of agriculture.