Summary
This meta-analysis synthesises evidence on how antecedent drought conditions prime soils for large nitrous oxide pulses upon rewetting. The authors identify water-filled pore space at rewetting, the magnitude of the drought-to-wet transition, and substrate bioavailability as key explanatory variables, with exponential emission increases under anaerobic conditions. The study reveals substantial uncertainty about microbial community responses to drought-wet cycles and calls for future research on drought-duration effects and the development of predictive drought-impact curves.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK agricultural soils, particularly in light of increasing drought frequency and intensity under climate change. UK farm management practices involving irrigation, drainage, or rainfall patterns that create boom-bust moisture cycles could significantly affect N₂O emissions; however, the meta-analysis includes temperate climate studies and suggests region-specific calibration may be needed for Mediterranean conditions to UK practice.
Key measures
Nitrous oxide emissions (N₂O flux); water-filled pore space (WFPS); soil moisture state transitions (dry to wet); substrate availability; fertiliser type and quantity; soil anaerobicity
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from soils subjected to controlled drought and rewetting cycles, quantifying the relationship between soil moisture conditions (water-filled pore space), substrate availability, and N₂O flux during rewetting events. Meta-analysis standardised data from 14 experimental studies (130 data points) to identify key drivers of peak emissions ('hot moments') following drought.
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