Microbial responses to the erosional redistribution of soil organic carbon in arable fields

► 2 y of maize (C4) after C3 cropping allowed detection of an erosion effect on microbial processes. ► Incorporation of maize C by soil microorganisms declined downslope except at the slope foot. ► Soil microorganisms used more older, C3 SOC (than recent crop C4-C) for anabolic processes.