A new study published in Science Advances reveals that mountain soils hold roughly twice as much carbon as current global models predict. Researchers from the University of Oregon and Appalachian State University analyzed nearly 10,000 landslides in the Oregon Coast Range and found that deep, weathered soil deposits can persist for hundreds of thousands of years, accumulating high concentrations of organic carbon. This overturns the long held assumption that rapidly eroding mountainous terrain has thin, carbon poor soils. The findings have direct implications for carbon budgets and natural climate solutions. Soil holds more carbon than vegetation and the atmosphere combined, so accurate mapping of soil carbon stocks is essential for designing effective land management strategies. The study highlights that deep weathering zones in landslide deposits are particularly effective at binding and retaining carbon, meaning these areas should be prioritized for preservation in climate mitigation efforts.
