Upper montane and subalpine wet meadows are crucial components of high-elevation headwater ecosystems across the Western United States. Meadow/stream functionality and soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation in these ecosystems can be highly impacted by human uses and management. SOM increases soil quality and contains two thirds of the earth's terrestrial carbon (C), making it an important component of global C storage. In August 2006, we launched a field study investigating the meadow functionality and SOM storage of High-Sierra montane and subalpine wet meadows in central California. Nineteen meadows were randomly selected to represent a range of hydrologic functionality ratings as determined by the Stanislaus National Forest. The specific objectives of this study were to characterize and quantify soil C storage in subalpine/montane meadows of the central Sierra Nevada and examine restoration potential specifically to increase C storage. This was a cross sectional observational study in which soil physical and chemical characteristics were evaluated and vegetation and channel characteristics were described for each of the meadows enrolled in the study. We hypothesized that the relationship between C quantity and quality would vary with hydrologic functional condition. Furthermore, the extent of channel downcutting would influence the type and amount of SOM stored. We will report the results of analysis of this dataset to evaluate the significance and magnitude of these relationships. Understanding of the relationships between hydrologic functionality, vegetation and SOM will assist in the prioritization of meadow restoration, as well as provide relevant information on C storage in this montane landscape.