A major share of Earth's terrestrial carbon (C) resides in forest soils. The net C balance of forest soils is the small difference between two very large fluxes (detrital inputs and decomposition), and a slight change in either one can lead to significant gains or losses of soil C. Forest soil C fluxes are sensitive to changes in the soil environment, and the direct effects of temperature and moisture have been characterized across spatial and temporal scales. However, general relationships between soil C cycling and other potential drivers, including substrate quality and land management practices remain obscured by variability among published studies. Soil C dynamics are intimately associated with soil N dynamics, because the two elements cycle together through primary productivity, detrital inputs to soil, and organic matter- and N- mineralization. Carbon sequestration and crediting programs require an accurate, predictive understanding of forest soil C and N responses to management treatments. We are conducting a meta-analysis to quantify the effects of timber harvesting, afforestation, fire management, and soil amendments on temperate forest soil C and N cycling. In the process, we are building a database of the most important environmental determinants of variation in soil C responses in an effort to explain some of the heterogeneity among responses to similar treatments at different locations. Here we present preliminary data focusing on the effects of different management decisions on soil C and N cycling. We also discuss methodological concerns associated with measuring forest soil C and N storage in the context of ecosystem C and N accounting.