The first systematic examination of the role of geomorphological processes in the cycling of carbon through the terrestrial system. * Argues that knowledge of geomorphological processes is fundamental to understanding the ways in which carbon is stored and recycled in the terrestrial environment * Integrates classical geomorphological theory with understanding of microbial processes controlling the decomposition of organic matter * Develops an interdisciplinary research agenda for the analysis of the terrestrial carbon cycle * Informed by work in ecology, microbiology and biogeochemistry, in order to analyse spatial and temporal patterns of terrestrial carbon cycling at the landscape scale * Considers the ways in which, as Humanity enters the Anthropocene, the application of this science has the potential to manage the terrestrial carbon cycle to limit increases in atmospheric carbon