Impact of extensive management system on soil properties and carbon sequestration under an age chronosequence of Moso bamboo plantations in subtropical China

•Moso bamboo plantations under extensive vs. intensive management were studied.•Extensive management significantly enhanced the accumulation of soil C.•Labile organic C stabilization in aggregates could be a key protective mechanism.•Amorphous Fe is important for establishing stable organic–mineral associations.•Shrub species diversity promotes SOC storage and stabilization.