Articles | Volume 23, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-3829-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-3829-2026
Research article
 | 
11 Jun 2026
Research article |  | 11 Jun 2026

Global quantification of the eco-hydrological co-benefits of soil carbon sequestration

Inne Vanderkelen, Marie-Estelle Demory, Sean Swenson, David M. Lawrence, Benjamin D. Stocker, Myke Koopmans, and Édouard L. Davin

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Cited articles

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Soil carbon sequestration supports climate mitigation and may enhance water availability. Using a global land model, we show that increased soil organic carbon improves water retention in the root zone and reduces runoff, particularly in dry, sandy regions. Although hydrological changes are modest, they are systematic and suggest co-benefits for vegetation productivity and ecosystem resilience in water-limited areas.
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