Landscapes degradation at different spatial and temporal scales have threatened human and non-human life on Earth. The Ecosystem Services (ES) concept and framework appears to contribute to the transformation of this scenario, seeking to promote the sustainable management of landscapes. Several conceptual frameworks on ES have been developed in recent years. However, the definition of soil services was little discussed and the recognition of the broad role of this resource in the provision of essential services to human life. The appropriation of this concept is even less frequent in research in the countries of the tropical region due to the low number of studies, projects and initiatives dedicated to the theme compared to the temperate region. This situation places important biogeographic domains, such as the Atlantic Forest, in greater difficulties in transforming the current degradation scenario and recovering its biodiversity. In this context, this study seeks to deepen the discussion on the role of soils as providers of ES, focusing on the tropical region and applying methods of evaluation of such services in an ecological restoration area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest region. We evaluated and discussed how soils were reported and perceived over time, their relationship with the concept of landscape and how they are seen in ES structures. Furthermore, this work clarifies and differentiates the concept of soil ES from other associated concepts, such as soil property, process and function, and its relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals. Then, a systematic review was carried out to assess the state of the art of of soil ES in tropical regions. Finally, the effect of different techniques in planting seedlings for environmental recovery and their consequent influence on soil quality and provision of carbon stock service in a Brazilian tropical region within the Atlantic Forest domain was evaluated. In addition, the valuation of the carbon stock service was done. An updated conceptual framework was developed, synthesizing the soil ES and their relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals, useful to academia and decision-makers. In addition, the results showed a low number of publications and a large knowledge gap regarding soil ES approaches in the tropical region. Regarding the planting techniques analyzed, it was observed that even with the low survival of the seedlings, the management with the planting of seedlings had a positive effect on soil quality over four years. These changes can generate environmental and economic benefits for the owners, considering strengthening a carbon market in the country. This work fills in some knowledge gaps related to the soil ES theme in the tropical region and offers helpful information for the sustainable management of landscapes.