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Despite the increasing impact of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on terrestrial greenhouse gas (GHG) budget, through driving both the net atmospheric CO2 exchange and the emission or uptake of non‐CO2 GHGs (CH4 and N2O), few studies have assessed the climatic impact of forests and grasslands under N deposition globally based on different bottom‐up approaches. Here, we quantify the effects of N deposition on biomass C increment, soil organic C (SOC), CH4 and N2O fluxes and, ultimately, the net ecosystem GHG balance of forests and grasslands using a global comprehensive dataset. We showed that N addition significantly increased plant C uptake (net primary production) in forests and grasslands, to a larger extent for the aboveground C (aboveground net primary production), whereas it only caused a small or insignificant enhancement of SOC pool in both upland systems. Nitrogen addition had no significant effect on soil heterotrophic respiration (RH) in both forests and grasslands, while a significant N‐induced increase in soil CO2 fluxes (RS, soil respiration) was observed in grasslands. Nitrogen addition significantly stimulated soil N2O fluxes in forests (76%), to a larger extent in grasslands (87%), but showed a consistent trend to decrease soil uptake of CH4, suggesting a declined sink capacity of forests and grasslands for atmospheric CH4 under N enrichment. Overall, the net GHG balance estimated by the net ecosystem production‐based method (forest, 1.28 Pg CO2‐eq year−1 vs. grassland, 0.58 Pg CO2‐eq year−1) was greater than those estimated using the SOC‐based method (forest, 0.32 Pg CO2‐eq year−1 vs. grassland, 0.18 Pg CO2‐eq year−1) caused by N addition. Our findings revealed that the enhanced soil C sequestration by N addition in global forests and grasslands could be only marginally offset (1.5%–4.8%) by the combined effects of its stimulation of N2O emissions together with the reduced soil uptake of CH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies suggest that biochar application can reduce soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, mainly based on short‐term results. However, it remains unclear what the effects (i.e., legacy effects) and underlying mechanisms are on N2O emissions after many years of a single application of biochar. Here, we collected intact soil columns from plots without and with biochar application in a subtropical tea plantation 7 years ago for an incubation experiment. We used the N2O isotopocule analysis combined with ammonia oxidizer‐specific inhibitors and molecular biology approaches to investigate how the legacy effect of biochar affected soil N2O emissions. Results showed that the soil in the presence of biochar had lower N2O emissions than the control albeit statistically insignificant. The legacy effect of biochar in decreasing N2O emissions may be attributed to the reduced effectiveness of the soil substrate, nitrification and denitrification activities, and the promotion of the further reduction of N2O. The legacy effect of biochar reduced the relative contribution of nitrifier denitrification/bacterial denitrification, nitrification‐related N2O production, and the relative abundance of several microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle. Our global meta‐analysis also showed that the reduction of N2O by biochar increased with increasing application rate but diminished and possibly even reversed with increasing experimental time. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the abatement capacity of biochar on soil N2O emissions may weaken over time after biochar application, but this remains under further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) inputs and land-use conversion are management practices that affect soil greenhouse gas (GHG) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions. Here, we measured soil methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and NO fluxes from rice fields and a peach orchard that converted from paddies to assess the impacts of nitrogen (N) inputs and land-use conversion on their emissions. Treatments included four paddy field treatments (PN0, PN160, PN220, and PN280) and one peach orchard treatment (ON280) with number indicating the N-input rate of kg N ha−1. The results showed that cumulative emissions of CH4, N2O and NO ranged from 28.6 to 85.3 kg C ha−1, 0.5 to 4.0 kg N ha−1 and 0.2 to 0.3 kg N ha−1 during the rice-growing season, respectively. In terms of greenhouse gas intensity, the PN280 treatment is the recommended N application rate. Land-use conversion significantly reduced the global warming potential from croplands. The conversion shifted soils from an essential source of CH4 to a small net sink. In addition, N2O emissions from the rice–wheat rotation system were 1.8 times higher than from the orchard, mainly due to the difference in the N application rate. In summary, to reduce agriculture-induced GHG emissions, future research needs to focus on the effects of N inputs on rice-upland crop rotation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaseous reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions from agricultural soils to the atmosphere constitute an integral part of global N cycle, directly or indirectly causing climate change impacts. The extensive use of N fertilizer in crop production will compromise our efforts to reduce agricultural Nr emissions in China. A national inventory of fertilizer N‐induced gaseous Nr emissions from croplands in China remains to be developed to reveal its role in shaping climate change. Here we present a data‐driven estimate of fertilizer N‐induced soil Nr emissions based on regional and crop‐specific emission factors (EFs) compiled from 379 manipulative studies. In China, agricultural soil Nr emissions from the use of synthetic N fertilizer and manure in 2018 are estimated to be 3.81 and 0.73 Tg N yr−1, with a combined contribution of 23%, 20% and 15% to the global agricultural emission total of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO), respectively. Over the past three decades, NH3 volatilization from croplands has experienced a shift from a rapid increase to a decline trend, whereas N2O and NO emissions always maintain a strong growth momentum due to a robust and continuous rise of EFs. Regionally, croplands in Central south (1.51 Tg N yr−1) and East (0.99 Tg N yr−1) of China exhibit as hotspots of soil Nr emissions. In terms of crop‐specific emissions, rice, maize and vegetable show as three leading Nr emitters, together accounting for 61% of synthetic N fertilizer‐induced Nr emissions from croplands. The global warming effect derived from cropland N2O emissions in China was found to dominate over the local cooling effects of NH3 and NO emissions. Our established regional and crop‐specific EFs for gaseous Nr forms provide a new benchmark for constraining the IPCC Tier 1 default EF values. The spatio‐temporal insight into soil Nr emission data from N fertilizer application in our estimate is expected to advance our efforts towards more accurate global or regional cropland Nr emission inventories and effective mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High fertilizer input and nitric oxide (NO) emissions characterize the intensive vegetable production system. However, the amount, geographic distribution, and effective mitigation strategies of NO emissions over Chinese vegetable fields remain largely uncertain. In this study, we developed a data-driven estimate of NO emissions and their spatial pattern in Chinese vegetable fields based on the Random Forest (RF) model. Additionally, we conducted a field experiment in a subtropical vegetable field to investigate the effect of climate-smart practices on NO emissions. The RF model results showed that soil NO emissions from Chinese vegetable fields were sensitive to nitrogen application amount, soil clay content, and pH. The total NO emission from Chinese vegetable fields in 2018 was estimated to be 75.9 Gg NO–N. The urgency to reduce NO emissions in vegetable fields was higher in northern than in southern China. Our meta-analysis and field experiment results suggested that biochar amendment and replacing chemical fertilizers with bio-organic fertilizers were win-win climate-smart management practices for mitigating NO emissions while improving vegetable production. Overall, our study provided new insights into NO emissions in vegetable soil ecosystems and can facilitate the development of regional NO emission inventories and effective mitigation strategies. These findings highlight the importance of adopting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices to reduce NO emissions and mitigate their adverse environmental impacts. [Display omitted] • Chinese vegetable fields are a hotspot of NO emissions. • The spatial distribution of NO emissions from vegetable farms has great variability. • The total NO emissions from Chinese vegetable fields were 75.9 Gg NO–N in 2018. • Biochar and bio-organic fertilizer substitution are promising practices to mitigate NO emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Drought has been shown to alter terrestrial ecosystem carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics, and thus feedback to future climate. However, drought‐induced changes in terrestrial upland C and N pools and the drought response of soil carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes are yet to be quantified. Location: Global upland ecosystems. Time period: 2000–2018. Major taxa studied: Terrestrial C and N fluxes. Methods: A meta‐analysis was conducted that compiled 1,344 measurements from 128 manipulative studies worldwide to obtain a general picture of terrestrial C and N cycling responses to soil drought stress and identify the primary driving factors. Results: We showed that drought significantly decreased plant C pools, with stronger negative responses of aboveground than belowground C components. Drought significantly decreased soil respiration (RS) and N2O fluxes by 19% and 29%, respectively. There were non‐significant changes in soil organic C and N pools in response to drought; in contrast to a considerable decrease in soil dissolved organic C (−22%), there was a robust increase in soil nitrate‐N (26%) following short‐term drought impact. By relating net ecosystem productivity (NEP) to the difference between net primary production (NPP) and soil heterotrophic respiration (RH), drought was found to drive a decrease up to −37% in NEP, being equivalent to a reduction in terrestrial net C uptake of 2.91 t C/ha. Main conclusions: Our study provides insights into soil release of CO2 and N2O with a linkage to the changes in terrestrial C and N pools in response to drought across upland biomes. Our findings highlight that, despite the lowered soil C release rate, the capacity of upland biomes as a C sink to slow climate change would still be weakened due to a robust decline of plant‐derived C input to soil in a future drier climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warming can accelerate the decomposition of soil organic matter and stimulate the release of soil greenhouse gases (GHGs), but to what extent soil release of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) may contribute to soil C loss for driving climate change under warming remains unresolved. By synthesizing 1,845 measurements from 164 peer‐reviewed publications, we show that around 1.5°C (1.16–2.01°C) of experimental warming significantly stimulates soil respiration by 12.9%, N2O emissions by 35.2%, CH4 emissions by 23.4% from rice paddies, and by 37.5% from natural wetlands. Rising temperature increases CH4 uptake of upland soils by 13.8%. Warming‐enhanced emission of soil CH4 and N2O corresponds to an overall source strength of 1.19, 1.84, and 3.12 Pg CO2‐equivalent/year under 1°C, 1.5°C, and 2°C warming scenarios, respectively, interacting with soil C loss of 1.60 Pg CO2/year in terms of contribution to climate change. The warming‐induced rise in soil CH4 and N2O emissions (1.84 Pg CO2‐equivalent/year) could reduce mitigation potential of terrestrial net ecosystem production by 8.3% (NEP, 22.25 Pg CO2/year) under warming. Soil respiration and CH4 release are intensified following the mean warming threshold of 1.5°C scenario, as compared to soil CH4 uptake and N2O release with a reduced and less positive response, respectively. Soil C loss increases to a larger extent under soil warming than under canopy air warming. Warming‐raised emission of soil GHG increases with the intensity of temperature rise but decreases with the extension of experimental duration. This synthesis takes the lead to quantify the ecosystem C and N cycling in response to warming and advances our capacity to predict terrestrial feedback to climate change under projected warming scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terrestrial carbon (C) cycle plays an important role in global climate change, but the vegetation and environmental drivers of C fluxes are poorly understood. We established a global dataset with 1194 available data across site-years including gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (ER), net ecosystem productivity (NEP), and relevant environmental factors to investigate the variability in GPP, ER and NEP, as well as their covariability with climate and vegetation drivers. The results indicated that both GPP and ER increased exponentially with the increase in mean annual temperature (MAT) for all biomes. Besides MAT, annual precipitation (AP) had a strong correlation with GPP (or ER) for non-wetland biomes. Maximum leaf area index (LAI) was an important factor determining C fluxes for all biomes. The variations in both GPP and ER were also associated with variations in vegetation characteristics. The model including MAT, AP and LAI explained 53% of the annual GPP variations and 48% of the annual ER variations across all biomes. The model based on MAT and LAI explained 91% of the annual GPP variations and 92.9% of the annual ER variations for the wetland sites. The effects of LAI on GPP, ER or NEP highlighted that canopy-level measurement is critical for accurately estimating ecosystem-atmosphere exchange of carbon dioxide. The present study suggests a significance of the combined effects of climate and vegetation (e.g., LAI) drivers on C fluxes and shows that climate and LAI might influence C flux components differently in different climate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The net balance of greenhouse gas (GHG) exchanges between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) remains poorly understood. Here, we synthesise 1655 measurements from 169 published studies to assess GHGs budget of terrestrial ecosystems under elevated CO2. We show that elevated CO2 significantly stimulates plant C pool (NPP) by 20%, soil CO2 fluxes by 24%, and methane (CH4) fluxes by 34% from rice paddies and by 12% from natural wetlands, while it slightly decreases CH4 uptake of upland soils by 3.8%. Elevated CO2 causes insignificant increases in soil nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes (4.6%), soil organic C (4.3%) and N (3.6%) pools. The elevated CO2‐induced increase in GHG emissions may decline with CO2 enrichment levels. An elevated CO2‐induced rise in soil CH4 and N2O emissions (2.76 Pg CO2‐equivalent year−1) could negate soil C enrichment (2.42 Pg CO2 year−1) or reduce mitigation potential of terrestrial net ecosystem production by as much as 69% (NEP, 3.99 Pg CO2 year−1) under elevated CO2. Our analysis highlights that the capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to act as a sink to slow climate warming under elevated CO2 might have been largely offset by its induced increases in soil GHGs source strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar as a carbon-rich coproduct of pyrolyzing biomass, its amendment has been advocated as a potential strategy to soil carbon (C) sequestration. Updated data derived from 50 papers with 395 paired observations were reviewed using meta-analysis procedures to examine responses of soil carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes, soil organic C (SOC), and soil microbial biomass C (MBC) contents to biochar amendment. When averaged across all studies, biochar amendment had no significant effect on soil CO2 fluxes, but it significantly enhanced SOC content by 40% and MBC content by 18%. A positive response of soil CO2 fluxes to biochar amendment was found in rice paddies, laboratory incubation studies, soils without vegetation, and unfertilized soils. Biochar amendment significantly increased soil MBC content in field studies, N-fertilized soils, and soils with vegetation. Enhancement of SOC content following biochar amendment was the greatest in rice paddies among different land-use types. Responses of soil CO2 fluxes and MBC to biochar amendment varied with soil texture and pH. The use of biochar in combination with synthetic N fertilizer and waste compost fertilizer led to the greatest increases in soil CO2 fluxes and MBC content, respectively. Both soil CO2 fluxes and MBC responses to biochar amendment decreased with biochar application rate, pyrolysis temperature, or C/N ratio of biochar, while each increased SOC content enhancement. Among different biochar feedstock sources, positive responses of soil CO2 fluxes and MBC were the highest for manure and crop residue feedstock sources, respectively. Soil CO2 flux responses to biochar amendment decreased with pH of biochar, while biochars with pH of 8.1-9.0 had the greatest enhancement of SOC and MBC contents. Therefore, soil properties, land-use type, agricultural practice, and biochar characteristics should be taken into account to assess the practical potential of biochar for mitigating climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter decomposition is a fundamental ecosystem process in which breakdown and decay of plant detritus releases carbon and nutrients. Invasive exotic plants may produce litter that differs from native plant litter in quality and quantity. Such differences may impact litter decomposition and soil respiration in ways that depend on whether exotic and native plant litters decompose in mixtures. However, few field experiments have examined how exotic plants affect soil respiration via litter decomposition. Here, we conducted an in situ study of litter decomposition of an annual native grass (Eragrostis pilosa), a perennial exotic forb (Alternanthera philoxeroides), and their mixtures in an annual grassland in China to examine potential invasion effects on soil respiration. Alternanthera litter decomposed faster than Eragrostis litter when each was incubated separately. Mass loss in litter mixes was more rapid than predicted from rates in single species bags (only 35% of predicted mass remained at 8 months) showing synergistic effects. Notably, exotic plant litter decomposition rate was unchanged but native plant litter decomposition rate was accelerated in mixtures (decay constant k = 0.20 month−1) compared to in isolation (k = 0.10 month−1). On average, every litter type increased soil respiration compared to bare soil from which litter was removed. However, the increases were larger for mixed litter (1.82 times) than for Alternanthera litter (1.58 times) or Eragrostis litter (1.30 times). Carbon released as CO2 relative to litter carbon input was also higher for mixed litter (3.34) than for Alternathera litter (2.29) or Eragrostis litter (1.19). Our results indicated that exotic Alternanthera produces rapidly decomposing litter which also accelerates the decomposition of native plant litter in litter mixtures and enhances soil respiration rates. Thus, this exotic invasive plant species will likely accelerate carbon cycling and increase soil respiration even at intermediate stages of invasion in these annual grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil respiration is an important process in terrestrial carbon cycle. Concerning terrestrial ecosystems in China, quantifying the spatiotemporal pattern of soil respiration at the regional scale is critical in providing a theoretical basis for evaluating carbon budget. In this study, we used an empirically based, semi-mechanistic model including climate and soil properties to estimate annual soil respiration from terrestrial ecosystems in China from 1970 to 2009. We further analyzed the relationship between interannual variability in soil respiration and climatic factors (air temperature and precipitation). Results indicated that the distribution of annual soil respiration showed clear spatial patterns. The highest and lowest annual soil respiration rates appeared in southeastern China and northwestern China, respectively, which was in accordance with the spatial patterns of mean annual air temperature and annual precipitation. Although the mean annual air temperature in northwestern China was higher than that in some regions of northeastern china, a greater topsoil organic carbon storage in northeastern China might result in the higher annual soil respiration in this region. By contrast, lower temperature, less precipitation and smaller topsoil organic carbon pool incurred the lowest annual soil respiration in northwestern China. Annual soil respiration from terrestrial ecosystems in China varied from 4.58 to 5.19 Pg C a between 1970 and 2009. During this time period, on average, annual soil respiration was estimated to be 4.83 Pg C a. Annual soil respiration in China accounted for 4.93%-6.01% of the global annual soil CO emission. The interannual variability in soil respiration depended on the interannual variability in precipitation and mean air temperature. In order to reduce the uncertainty in estimating annual soil respiration at regional scale, more in situ measurements of soil respiration and relevant factors (e.g. climate, soil and vegetation) should be made simultaneously and historical soil property data sets should also be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mean residence time (MRT) of topsoil organic carbon is one critical parameter for predicting future land carbon sink dynamics. Large uncertainties remain about controls on the variability in global MRT of soil organic carbon. We estimated global MRT of topsoil (0–20cm) organic carbon in terrestrial ecosystems and found that mean annual air temperature, annual precipitation, and topsoil nitrogen storage were responsible for the variability in MRT. An empirical climate and soil nitrogen-based (Clim&SN) model could be used to explain the temporal and spatial variability in MRT across various ecosystems. Estimated MRT was lowest in the low-latitude zones, and increased toward high-latitude zones. Global MRT of topsoil organic carbon showed a significant declining tendency between 1960 and 2008, particularly in the high-latitude zone of the northern hemisphere. The largest absolute and relative changes (0.2% per yr) in MRT of topsoil organic carbon from 1960 to 2008 occurred in high-latitude regions, consistent with large carbon stocks in, and greater degree of climate change being experienced by, these areas. Overall, global MRT anomalies (differences between MRT in each year and averaged value of MRT from 1960 to 2008) of terrestrial topsoil organic carbon were decreasing from 1960 to 2008. Global MRT anomalies decreased significantly (P <0.001) with the increase of global temperature anomalies, indicating that global warming resulted in faster turnover rates of topsoil organic carbon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To develop a model describing the dependence of annual soil respiration on climate and soil properties, we compiled 657 published annual soil respiration (R s ) measurements that were assembled from 147 sites globally, representing croplands, grasslands, forests and tundra ecosystems. Each of these annual soil respiration data was then aggregated with the appropriate mean air temperature (T) and annual precipitation (P) data derived from geographically referenced datasets and with soil properties gathered from the original literature. Partial correlation analyses showed that global annual R s significantly related to annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, and topsoil (0–20cm) organic carbon (SOC) storage, while topsoil total nitrogen (SN) and pH did not show a direct and clear relationship with R s across ecosystems. While we employed the T&P-model that used temperature and annual precipitation to globally predict annual soil respiration, it was able to explain 41%, 57%, and 31% of the variability of soil respiration for croplands, grasslands and forests, respectively. However, the residuals were significantly related to SOC for croplands and grasslands. Thus, we developed a T&P&C-model that includes SOC as an additional predictor of annual R s . This extended but still simple model performed better than the T&P-model and explained 69%, 89%, and 47% of the interannual and intersite variability of R s with a mean absolute error of 0.11, 0.18 and 0.28kgCm−2 yr−1 for croplands, grasslands and forests, respectively. Overall, the modeling efficiency of the T&P&C-model was nearly 60% across ecosystems. Globally, the mean turnover time of topsoil carbon (SOC/R s ) was highly comparable among croplands, grasslands and forests, equivalent to 6.1–6.3 years. Therefore, better estimates of global annual soil respiration would be obtained with the new model driven by climate and soil properties together. We expect significant improvements of global annual soil respiration predictions given that measurements of soil respiration coupling with soil properties and site productivities are widely taken across ecosystems over the world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Both elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and rising temperature can alter soil methane (CH 4 ) fluxes, leading to a feedback to climate change. However, predicting this feedback needs to understand the microbial mechanisms involved in CH 4 emissions driven by climate change. A 3-year field measurement of CH 4 fluxes from rice paddies was taken in 2012–2014 to examine their responses to elevated CO 2 (enriched up to 500 μmol mol −1 ) and rising canopy air temperature (above ambient 1.5–2.0 °C) using a free-air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) system. Using real-time PCR and Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, we measured the abundance and composition of methanogenic community in rhizosphere soil of rice paddies in 2014. Elevated CO 2 and rising temperature showed additive effects on CH 4 fluxes and methanogen abundances, where CH 4 fluxes were correlated with methanogen abundances. Elevated CO 2 , rising temperature and their combination increased seasonal CH 4 emissions by 28–120%, 38–74% and 82–143%, respectively. Either elevated CO 2 or rising temperature did not significantly alter the diversity of methanogenic community, and methanogenic genera Methanosaeta , Methanosarcina , Methanobacterium , Methanocella and Methanoregula dominated in rhizosphere soils for all treatments. However, elevated CO 2 induced a shift from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic methanogens in their relative abundances. Rising temperature stimulated CH 4 emissions by increasing CH 4 production per individual predominant methanogen genus. Besides the enhancement of soil C substrates and rhizosphere methanogen abundances as previously reported, an additive effect of elevated CO 2 and canopy warming on CH 4 emissions is also associated with elevated CO 2 -induced changes in the composition of methanogenic archaea and warming-stimulated the activity of methanogenic archaea in rice paddies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice paddies and rivers draining agricultural watersheds have been documented as two major sources of atmospheric methane (CH 4), while parallel flux measurements have been rarely taken on CH 4 from rice paddies against the drainage rivers in agricultural watersheds. Moreover, the drainage events during the rice growing season deliver sufficient organic and inorganic nutrients to rivers, which makes there an increasing concerned source of atmospheric CH 4. Here, we compared CH 4 emissions from rice paddies and the associated rivers draining agricultural watersheds by a parallel field experiment in southeast China. Over the whole rice–growing season (June–November), CH 4 fluxes from drainage rivers averaged 25 mg m–2 h–1, which were 82 % higher than those from rice paddies (13.7 mg m–2 h–1). Besides the dependence of riverine CH 4 fluxes on water dissolved oxygen (DO), both ecosystem CH 4 fluxes were significantly correlated with water/soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC), oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) and the microbial functional genes that drive CH 4 production or uptake [methanogens (mcrA and methanogenic archaeal 16S rRNA) and methanotrophs (pmoA)]. Our results highlighted that the CH 4 mitigation potential benefited from the drainage practice in rice paddies might have been totally offset by its induced increases in CH 4 emissions from rivers draining agricultural watersheds at the regional scale. ● Rivers draining agricultural watersheds are an important source of atmospheric CH 4. ● CH 4 fluxes from drainage rivers have been rarely related to the abundance of microbes. ● CH 4 fluxes from drainage rivers were 82 % greater than those from rice paddies. ● The increase in CH 4 emissions in rivers may offset the mitigation benefit of CH 4 in rice paddies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• IndirectN2Oemissions from rivers draining agricultural watersheds are of increasing concerns. • Seasonal dissolved N2O concentrationsand N2O fluxes showed a similar variation pattern. • Annual mean model-based N2O fluxes werecomparable with chamber-based N2O fluxes. • The indirect riverine EFof N2O dependedlargely on surface water NO3–N concentrations. • Annual mean riverine indirect EF of N2O was significant lower than the IPCC default value. Indirect nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions from rivers draining agricultural watersheds are of increasing concerns due to riverine abundant sources of nitrogen loaded through leaching and runoff. However, the seasonal variation of N 2 O emissions from agricultural drainage rivers is poorly explored, especially the uncertainty in quantifying indirect N 2 O emission factors (EFs) from these aquatic environments. Here, a two-year study (2014-2016) was conducted to quantify indirect N 2 O emissions from a river draining a rice paddy watershed in subtropical China. Indirect N 2 O fluxes were simultaneously determined using the floating chamber method (chamber-based) and the gas exchange modeling approach (model-based) based on the measurement of dissolved N 2 O concentration. Results showed that seasonal dissolved N 2 O concentration and N 2 O fluxes had a similar variation pattern, with the highest and the lowest levels in summer and winter, respectively. The annual mean of model-based N 2 O fluxes (20.24 ± 3.34 μmol m−2 d−1) was generally in agreement with chamber-based N 2 O fluxes (18.70 ± 3.56 μmol m−2 d−1). The indirect emission factor of N 2 O was highly dependent on the surface water NO 3 −-N concentration. Annual mean indirect EF of N 2 O from the drainage river was estimated to be 0.00051, which was significantly lower than the default EF 5r value (0.0025) proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These results suggest that the use of IPCC default value might have overestimated indirect N 2 O emissions from agricultural impacted riverine systems. Our study also highlights that more extensive in-situ measurements are required for monitoring indirect N 2 O emissions from agricultural impacted waters with different drainage characteristics, which would benefit for refining the IPCC EF 5r default value to further constrain global N 2 O budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]