Abstract <p>Physical, physicochemical, and biological properties of the upper horizons (0–10 cm) of mountainous meadow-steppe and mountainous meadow soils of the Central Caucasus (Kabardino-Balkaria) at different stages of pasture degradation have been comprehensively studied. The direction and degree of changes in the monitored characteristics of the studied soils relative to slightly disturbed (D1) genetic analogues are determined by the stage of pasture degradation (D2 and D3) and soil formation conditions. Biological parameters of mountainous meadow soils—the content and stocks of organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and the activity of enzymes of the oxidoreductase and hydrolase classes—exceed those of mountainous meadow-steppe soils. There is a significant decrease in soil C_org (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) along the gradient of transformation from slightly disturbed (D1) to moderately and strongly disturbed meadow ecosystems (D2 and D3). Most biological parameters in the soils of strongly disturbed meadows significantly decrease (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) as compared to slightly disturbed analogues. The obtained data are used to monitor the status of mountainous meadow ecosystems in the Central Caucasus.</p>