The movement of carbon (C) from soils across inland waterways towards the sea has increased due to the impact of human activities. This has significant effects on the amount of C in terrestrial ecosystems.
Earth system models (ESMs) simulate the interaction between the C cycle and the climate system at the global scale. They can predict how carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities increase CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, and how this affects climate change. ESMs comprise multiple components for the atmosphere, the oceans and the terrestrial ecosystems.
Further information: Role of rivers in exporting carbon from terrestrial ecosystems