Summary
This global meta-analysis of 1474 observations from 124 studies examined how liming—a widespread soil management practice—alters greenhouse gas emissions through changes in soil biological communities. The authors found that liming reduces N₂O emissions primarily via increases in N₂O reductase genes and shifts in microbial composition that favour complete denitrification, whilst also reducing plant-available nitrogen through enhanced uptake. Liming increased CO₂ emissions through stimulation of heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration, with limited evidence of effects on methane, suggesting that the GHG mitigation potential of liming is complex and system-dependent.
Regional applicability
The United Kingdom's acid soils (particularly in upland and moorland areas, and some lowland sandy soils) could benefit from these findings on liming's GHG trade-offs, though UK agricultural liming practices are already well-established. The global scope limits direct regional specificity; UK-specific trials would strengthen applicability to local soil types, climate conditions, and farming systems.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, N₂O, CH₄); soil microbial abundance and community structure (NosZ genes, fungi:bacteria ratio, methanogens, methanotrophs); soil mineral nitrogen; N₂O:N₂ product ratio of denitrification
Outcomes reported
The study quantified how liming modifies emissions of nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide across 124 studies, and identified the soil biological mechanisms (microbial community composition, gene abundance, plant nitrogen uptake) responsible for these changes.
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