Erosion carbon dynamics extend beyond carbon accounting to ecological significance

Abstract For decades, the debate over whether erosion acts as a carbon source or sink has advanced our understanding of carbon redistribution across stocks and fluxes. Yet, this quantitative perspective alone does not capture the full ecological significance of carbon along these pathways. Carbon value lies not only in how much is stored, but also in how it functions within ecosystems. Erosion is not merely a switch governing land–atmosphere carbon exchange, but also a driver redistributing carbon among ecological states. Here, a framework is developed that interprets erosion as a reorganization of the soil functional layer, linking carbon redistribution to changes in stability and functionality across landscape contexts. This perspective helps explain the paradox in erosion management, whereby processes that reduce carbon burial may simultaneously enhance ecosystem functioning. It reframes carbon redistribution from changes in carbon stocks to shifts in ecological states, with implications for carbon accounting and ecosystem management.