[Objective] The effects of depression caused by long-term freezing-thawing and water erosion on soil respiration in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were studied to provide a scientific basis for the evaluation of carbon cycling process at an alpine marsh meadow.[Methods] We conducted a field experiment at an alpine marsh meadow with a depression and a non-depression in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We measured the air temperature, relative air humidity, soil respiration, soil temperature, and moisture content at 5 cm depth in May 2019, and investigated plant traits, such as dominant species, above-ground biomass, plant height, and community coverage in August 2018.[Results] ① The average rate of soil respiration in the depression caused by freezing-thawing and water erosion was significantly lower than those in non-depression regions; ② Freezing-thawing and water erosion causeed the surface sink, leading to an increase in relative air humidity and a decrease in air temperature, which was similar to the polythermal effects of basin regions. The depression caused by freezing-thawing and water erosion increased soil temperatures at 5 cm depth, and had a profound impact on soil respiration.[Conclusion] The depression caused by natural freezing-thawing and water erosion processes of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau changes the soil environment and the soil respiration in the primary system, which further modifies the carbon cycle of alpine marsh meadow ecosystem.