Geomorphology and the Carbon Cycle

The first systematic examination of the role of geomorphological processes in the cycling of carbon through the terrestrial system. Argues that knowledge of geomorphological processes is fundamental to understanding the ways in which carbon is stored and recycled in the terrestrial environment Integrates classical geomorphological theory with understanding of microbial processes controlling the decomposition of organic matter Develops an interdisciplinary research agenda for the analysis of the terrestrial carbon cycle Informed by work in ecology, microbiology and biogeochemistry, in order to analyse spatial and temporal patterns of terrestrial carbon cycling at the landscape scale Considers the ways in which, as Humanity enters the Anthropocene, the application of this science has the potential to manage the terrestrial carbon cycle to limit increases in atmospheric carbon

Contents Series Editors’ Preface viii Acknowledgements ix Part I The Terrestrial Carbon Cycle and Geomorphological Theory 1 1 Geomorphology and the Terrestrial Carbon Cycle 3 2 Geomorphology and the Fast Carbon Cycle 12 3 Geomorphology and the Geological Carbon Cycle 37 4 Geomorphological Theory and Practice: Material Fluxes in the Terrestrial Carbon Cycle 53  Part II Geomorphology and Carbon Cycling Across the Sediment Cascade 77 5 Carbon Cycling in Headwater Catchments 79 6 Hillslope Soil Erosion and Terrestrial Carbon Cycling 110 7 The Role of Floodplains in Terrestrial Carbon Cycling 136 8 Geomorphology and Carbon Cycling in the Coastal Ecotone 167 Part III A Geomorphological Approach to the Carbon Cycle 191 9 Geomorphology and Carbon Cycling in the Anthropocene 193 10 Towards a Geomorphologically Informed Model of Terrestrial Carbon Cycling 218 References 240 Index 287