Abstract: Human activities have significantly affected the structure and function of the Zoige alpine meadow ecosystem. In this study, we analyzed the effects of grazing intensity on soil organic matter (SOM) and the soil microbial community in the Zoige alpine meadow. Five grazing intensity treatments, which were based on vegetation coverage, were established: D₁, coverage of 0%-20%; D₂, coverage of 20%-40%; D₃, coverage of 40%-60%; D₄, coverage of 60%-80%; D₅, coverage of 80%-100%. The SOM and total nitrogen content at 0-10 cm soil depth significantly differed among the five grazing intensity treatments (P<0.05). With increasing grazing intensity, the amounts of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and Gram-positive (G⁺) and Gram-negative bacteria (G^-) decreased. The highest ratio of G⁺/G^- was in D₃, while the lowest was in D₄. The microbial diversity index decreased in the following order: D₅>D₄>D₁>D₂>D₃. The diversity index was calculated from the soil phospholipid fatty acid profiles, and did not differ significantly among the five grazing intensity treatments (P>0.05). The soil microbe content was significantly positively correlated with SOM content. The grazing intensity was closely related not only to the productivity of the alpine meadow, but also to SOM and microbial communities. Therefore, it is important to restore and maintain soil productivity by controlling the grazing intensity in this region.