Closed-forest type land coverage is an important measure for the restoration of degraded karst ecosystems, and soil microorganisms are one of the most useful indicators of soil quality; however, little is known about the effects of the vegetation pattern and slope on microbial characteristics within the soil profile. In this study, soil samples derived from three different genetic layers along the profile-leaching layer (A, 0-10 cm); transition layer (AB, 20-30 cm, tussock (T) and shrub (S); 30-50 cm, primary forest (PF)); and deposited layer (B, 70-100 cm)-were collected from the middle slope position of three ecosystems-tussock (T), shrub (S), and primary forest (PF)and in addition, from the upper and lower slope positions of primary forest (PF). The study determined soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), nitrogen (SMBN), ratio of SMBC to soil organic carbon (qMBC), ratio of SMBN to soil total nitrogen (qMBN), basic respiration (SBR), microbial metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and certain physico-chemical characteristics in order to identify changes in the microbial characteristics along the soil profile in response to the typical vegetation pattern and slope position, and the relationships between the soil microbial- and physico-chemical characteristics. Our results showed that the vegetation pattern and the type of soil genetic layer significantly affected soil microbial biomass and basic respiration, whereas no consistent effect on the slope position was observed. The values of soil microorganism biomass carbon along the soil profile from tussock (T) and shrub (S) ecosystems were 56.7-367 and 161-640 mg/kg, respectively, which were significantly lower than the 532-1217 mg/kg value for the primary forest (PF) ecosystem. The same trend (TPF>S) was observed for the microbial metabolic quotient. SMBC, SMBN, qMBC, and SBR declined for each progressive soil genetic layer, and the effect of slope position on these indicators was more significant within the leaching layer (A) than in the transition (AB) and deposited layers (B). In contrast, for SBR, two-way ANOVA showed that the slope position had no significant influence on qCO₂. A significant positive correlation was observed between SMBC and SMBN (r=0.825, P < 0.01, n=45). Further, there were significant differences in soil nutrients (TN, SOM, AN) along the profile between different vegetation patterns and slope positions; and SMBC, SMBN, and SBR were also correlated with organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available nitrogen. As a result, vegetation restoration had positive effects on the physico-chemical and microbial characteristics, and these changes were more prominent in surface soil than in deep soil. Soil nitrogen nutrition and soil organic matter were equally important for the maintenance of the soil microbial community and its ecological function. These findings should help facilitate preservation and revegetation activities in karst regions.