In Brazil, the semi-arid region has undergone significant degradation due to deforestation for agriculture, livestock and the use of firewood. In this context, nature-based solutions (NbS) that prioritize environmental sustainability in semi-arid regions are crucial. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of the conversion from native vegetation (dense Caatinga) to improved and degraded pastures, and integrated livestock-forestry (ILF) systems under conventional and no-tillage (NT). Soil samples were collected to a depth of 1 m in 5 different land uses: native vegetation (NV), ILFsystem with gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.) + signal grass (Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D. Webster) (ILFug) under NT for 8 years, an ILF system with gliricidia + forage cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera (Linnaeus) Miller) (ILFcg) under conventional tillage for 12 years, improved pasture (ImpP) and degraded pasture (DegP), both having been established for 15 years. SOC stocks, water-stable aggregates (WSA), microbial biomass carbon (MB-C), SOM pools and soil carbon indices were analysed. The ILFug system under NT showed the highest stocks of mineral-associated organic matter, at all soil depths, resulting in increased SOC stocks, thus placing this system with the greatest SOC stock of 112.92 Mg ha-1, which represents a 21.8% increase compared to NV. The DegP presented the lowest soil quality among the studied systems, as evidenced by reduced particulate organic matter, MB-C, WSA and carbon management index. By promoting practices that enhance carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve ecosystem resilience, NbS provides a sustainable approach to mitigating the impacts of climate change, while supporting local communities in the semi-arid.