Development of a Model to Estimate the Spatial Distribution of Soil Carbon Sinks in Watersheds

In recent years, soil has emerged as a central focus in natural carbon sink research. Past studies have largely concentrated on how plants capture atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis and progressively store it in the soil as they grow. This process is known as the "vertical process" of soil organic carbon accumulation.

However, in subtropical monsoon climates, soils in hillside regions are often subject to water erosion, which causes soil organic carbon to accumulate not only vertically but also laterally through the transport of terrestrial materials. This lateral movement represents the "horizontal process" of soil organic carbon accumulation. At the watershed scale, understanding the horizontal transport and accumulation of soil organic carbon is essential for accurate carbon budget assessments.

The movement of soil organic carbon plays a vital role in soil carbon dynamics within terrestrial ecosystems. This study focuses on gaining a deeper understanding of soil erosion processes and soil carbon storage in watersheds. The primary aim is to develop a slope soil carbon sink assessment model to evaluate the spatial distribution of soil carbon sinks within watersheds. Additionally, the study seeks to validate the model and assess its feasibility for practical applications.