SSS21/GM3.2

Soil erosion, sedimentation and the carbon cycle (co-organized)
Convener: N. J. Kuhn  | Co-Conveners: Martínez-Mena , T. Hoffmann , S. Glatzel , E. Cammeraat , Jacinthe 
Oral Programme
 / Tue, 21 Apr, 15:30–17:00  / Room 24
Poster Programme
 / Attendance Tue, 21 Apr, 17:30–19:00  / Hall A

Recently, a controversial debate on the role of agricultural erosion in the global Carbon cycle has erupted. On one hand, erosion is considered to be a sink of Carbon through the deposition of eroded soil and sediment on hillslopes and the fluvial system, on the other, mineralisation of SOM during transport and potentially in riverine environments is considered a source of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, lateral Carbon fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems have been identified as significant for understanding the exchange of Carbon between surface and atmosphere. The potentially significant influence of surface processes on the global carbon cycle highlights that a geomorphic perspective essential when trying to fully understand the fluxes of carbon between landscape systems and atmosphere. Issues of particular interest involve the movement of Carbon through landscapes by surface processes, the quality of sediment sinks as Carbon sinks and the fate of soil-derived Carbon in fluvial environments. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of Carbon erosion in degrading landscapes and during the Holocene require attention. The proposed session is therefore open to all research** dealing with current processes, but also with environmental reconstruction. Contributions on Carbon erosion and its modelling, the fate of eroded Carbon in terrestrial and fluvial environments, and Holocene soil formation and degradation.