Recently identified microbial guild mediates soil N2O sink capacity
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the predominant ozone-depleting
substance and contributes approximately 6% to overall global
warming1,2. Terrestrial ecosystems account for nearly 70%
of total global N2O atmospheric loading, of which at least
45% can be attributed to microbial cycling of nitrogen
in agriculture3. The reduction of N2O to nitrogen gas by
microorganisms is critical for mitigating its emissions from
terrestrial ecosystems, yet the determinants of a soil’s capacity
to act as a source or sink for N2O remain uncertain4. Here, we
demonstrate that the soilN2Osink capacity is mostly explained
by the abundance and phylogenetic diversity of a newly
described N2O-reducing microbial group5,6, which mediate the
influence of edaphic factors. Analyses of interactions and niche
preference similarities suggest niche di erentiation or even
competitive interactions between organisms with the twotypes
of N2O reductase.We further identified several recurring communities
comprised of co-occurring N2O-reducing bacterial
genotypes that were significant indicators of the soil N2O sink
capacity across di erent European soils.
Journal Title/Title of Proceedings
Nature Climate Change
Volume/Issue Number
4
Page Numbers
801‐805