Abstract <p>Based on statistical data and the 2021 agricultural census of Belgorod oblast, the modern structure of agricultural landscapes in key areas of the region and the factors that determine it have been identified. The ecological and economic state, structure, and degree of transformation of agroecosystems are characterized. Environment-stabilizing elements have been identified (protective ecosystems) of the agricultural landscape, and their contribution to maintaining sustainability was analyzed. Mechanisms for using the RothC (Rothamsted Long Term Field Experiments Carbon Model) carbon model, previously successfully verified using the example of chernozems in neighboring Kursk oblast, are proposed. For this purpose, carbon flows in the agricultural landscape of the region were estimated based on the calculation results for virgin steppes, fallow lands, and five key crops. Data on transformed and stabilizing ecosystems were compared, which will subsequently allow the development of a formula for calculating the spatial optimization of the structure of the agricultural landscape for “carbon-neutral agriculture” and the protection of the steppes in the region.</p>