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Recent research on the contribution of soil erosion on agricultural land to atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emphasizes either the contribution of soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization during transport as source for atmospheric CO 2 , or the deep burial of SOM-rich sediment in agricultural landscapes as a sink. The contribution of either process is subject to a controversial debate. In this letter, we present preliminary results on our research on interrill carbon (C) erosion, SOM transport by rill erosion and the stationarity of C erosion during the Holocene. None of those issues has been incorporated comprehensively and with global coverage in the debate on the role of C erosion in the global C cycle. Therefore, we argue that only an eco-geomorphologic perspective on organic C movement through landscapes can reconcile the two positions.

Understanding social-ecological system dynamics is a major research priority for sustainable management of landscapes, ecosystems and resources. But the lack of multi-decadal records represents an important gap in information that hinders the development of the research agenda. Without improved information on the long-term and complex interactions between causal factors and responses, it will be difficult to answer key questions about trends, rates of change, tipping points, safe operating spaces and pre-impact conditions. Where available longterm monitored records are too short or lacking, palaeoenvironmental sciences may provide

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In contrast with the understanding of present-day soil erosion processes, knowledge on past soil erosion phenomena is still rather limited. Although some studies report on severe gully erosion phases during the fourteenth and eighteenth centuries, almost no evidence is available that documents earlier gully erosion phases. This study investigates the development and age of two old, permanent gullies that are conserved in the ancient Meerdaal forest in central Belgium. The development history of both gullies is very similar. In the first gully, archaeological evidence was found indicating an erosion phase during Roman times, followed by a partial infilling of the gully. In the second gully, radiocarbon dating provided evidence of the same Roman activity phase (cal. yr 46 BC-AD 78), but also of an earlier incision phase during the Middle Bronze Age (cal. yr 1743-1602, 1568-1533 BC). Also here, the erosion phase was followed by a partial infilling. This limited infilling indicates that the catchment of the gullies was reforested quite rapidly, hereby cutting off all runoff and sediment production. This has led to a unique situation in the Meerdaal forest, with the conservation of about 43 similar, large gullies in an area of about 17 km2. This area has a high geovalue, as the studied gullies are among the oldest and best conserved gullies in northwestern Europe.

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