Plant and soil carbon stable isotope composition (delta~(13)C) can reliably record environmental information,comprehensively reflect the physio-ecological characteristics of plants and biochemical carbon cycle processes,and provide useful information for understanding ecosystem carbon cycles. Thus,investigating the relationships between plant and soil delta~(13) C and environmental factors can reveal the patterns and controlling factors of ecosystem carbon cycles,and the potential effects of climate change on ecosystems. In this study,the relationships between plant delta~(13) C,soil delta~(13) C and Deltadelta~(13) C (the differences between plant and soil delta~(13) C) and temperature,precipitation, atmospheric pressure,soil C/N ratio,soil texture and soil pH were reviewed. The delta~(13)C of C3 plant was negatively related to precipitation and atmospheric pressure,while the relationship between temperature and the delta~(13) C of C3 plant was complex. Only limited studies were available on C4 plants,or mixed C3 /C4 communities. Soil delta~(13)C was negatively related to precipitation,soil C/N,soil clay and silt content, positively related to temperature,soil pH and soil sand content. However,the coupling effects of environmental factors suggest that the integrated effects of environmental factors on soil delta~(13) C were worth further study. Although Deltadelta~(13) C could comprehensively reflect this integrated effect,studies on the relationships between Deltadelta~(13)C and environmental factors were limited,and the control factors of Deltadelta~(13)C and influencing environmental mechanisms were unclear. Based on the deficiency of existing research,we suggest that measuring plant delta~(13)C at both species and community levels,soil delta~(13)C and Deltadelta~(13)C simultaneously can more accurately reveal and predict the effects of environmental change on ecosystem carbon cycle,and this should be the focus of future research.