We present a suitable and reliable method to detect short-term and small-scale soil organic carbon stock dynamics (ΔSOC). Spatiotemporal dynamics of ΔSOC are determined for a 5-year study period at the experimental field trial CarboZALF using automatic chamber measurements of NEE and modeled NPP_shoot. Results were compared against ΔSOC observed from repeated soil inventories. Both ∆SOC data sets corresponded well regarding their magnitude and spatial tendency.