Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised evidence from 14 appropriately designed controlled experiments to quantify how prior drought conditions prime soil for elevated N₂O emissions upon rewetting. The authors identified soil rewetting magnitude and post-rewetting water-filled pore space as significant predictors of emissions peaks, with exponential increases under anaerobic conditions, whilst substrate bioavailability and microbial priming mechanisms appear to be the primary causal pathway rather than anaerobicity alone.
UK applicability
The findings are relevant to UK agricultural soils subject to predicted increases in soil moisture variability under climate change. However, the review synthesises primarily controlled laboratory studies; field validation in temperate UK conditions and incorporation of UK soil types and management practices would strengthen applicability to policymaking on greenhouse gas mitigation.
Key measures
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission rates (likely in mg N₂O-N per unit soil per unit time); water-filled pore space (WFPS) percentage; soil moisture conditions (dry vs. wet states); substrate availability; fertiliser quantity and type; anaerobicity
Outcomes reported
A meta-analysis of 14 controlled studies (130 data points) examining how antecedent soil moisture conditions affect N₂O emissions during rewetting events. The study quantified the relationship between soil water-filled pore space (WFPS), drought severity, substrate availability, and fertiliser inputs on N₂O 'hot moment' magnitude.
Topic tags
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