Short Communication: Humans and the missing C-sink: erosion and burial of soil carbon through time

Abstract

Is anthropogenic soil erosion a sink or source of atmospheric carbon? The answer depends on factors beyond hillslope erosion alone because the probable fate of mobilized soil carbon evolves as it traverses the fluvial system. The transit path, residence times, and the resulting mechanisms of C-loss or gain change significantly down-basin and are currently difficult to predict as soils erode and floodplains evolve – this should be a key focus of future research.