Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Land-use type affects N2O production pathways in subtropical acidic soils

Yushu Zhang, Hong Ding, Xiangzhou Zheng, Xiangyun Ren, L. M. Cardenas, Alison Carswell, T. H. Misselbrook

Environmental Pollution · 2018

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Summary

This 2018 study investigates how land-use type modulates nitrous oxide production pathways in subtropical acidic soils, a key consideration for understanding agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. By characterising the relative contribution of nitrification and denitrification to total N₂O flux across different land uses, the research provides insight into which soil management and land-use practices may influence climate-relevant trace gas emissions in this soil type. The findings suggest that pedoclimatic context and land-use history interact to shape microbial N-cycling processes.

UK applicability

The findings relate primarily to subtropical acidic soil conditions not commonly encountered in the UK, where soils tend to be temperate and more variable in pH. However, the methodological approach to quantifying N₂O production pathways may be applicable to understanding greenhouse gas mitigation strategies in UK farming systems, particularly where soil acidification is a management concern.

Key measures

N₂O flux rates, nitrification and denitrification pathway contributions, soil physicochemical properties across land-use types

Outcomes reported

The study characterised the relative contribution of nitrification and denitrification pathways to total N₂O flux across different land-use types in subtropical acidic soils. The research quantified how land-use history and soil properties interact to modulate microbial N-cycling processes and greenhouse gas emissions.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Soil biology & microbiology
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
China
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.045
Catalogue ID
BFmovi1pkk-3rwzd0

Topic tags

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