We did not state that soil erosion generates an unintentional benefit for climate. Instead, we suggested that erosion-induced changes in the carbon cycle need to be taken into account when developing management schemes to maximize carbon storage in soils. However, we agree that eroded nitrogen needs to be replaced if agricultural production is to be sustained, and that this will come at a cost both to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels and the economy. We concur that determining the impact of farming and land use on greenhouse gas budgets is an important next step in the development of carbon inventories.