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Legacy effects cause systematic underestimation of N2O emission factors

Author

Listed:
  • Haoyu Qian

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Zhengqi Yuan

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Nana Chen

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Xiangcheng Zhu

    (Yichun University)

  • Shan Huang

    (Jiangxi Agricultural University)

  • Changying Lu

    (Suzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Taihu Lake Region of Jiangsu/National Agricultural Experiment Station for Soil Quality)

  • Kailou Liu

    (Jiangxi Institute of Red Soil and Germplasm Resources)

  • Feng Zhou

    (Peking University)

  • Pete Smith

    (University of Aberdeen)

  • Hanqin Tian

    (Boston College)

  • Qiang Xu

    (Yangzhou University)

  • Jianwen Zou

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Shuwei Liu

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Zhenwei Song

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Weijian Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Songhan Wang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Zhenghui Liu

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Ganghua Li

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Ziyin Shang

    (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Yanfeng Ding

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Kees Jan Groenigen

    (University of Exeter)

  • Yu Jiang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University)

Abstract

Agricultural soils contribute ~52% of global anthropogenic nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, predominantly from nitrogen (N) fertilizer use. Global N2O emission factors (EFs), estimated using IPCC Tier 1 methodologies, largely rely on short-term field measurements that ignore legacy effects of historic N fertilization. Here we show, through data synthesis and experiments, that EFs increase over time. Historic N addition increases soil N availability, lowers soil pH, and stimulates the abundance of N2O producing microorganisms and N2O emissions in control plots, causing underestimates of EFs in short-term experiments. Accounting for this legacy effect, we estimate that global EFs and annual fertilizer-induced N2O emissions of cropland are 1.9% and 2.1 Tg N2O-N yr−1, respectively, both ~110% higher than IPCC estimates. Our findings highlight the significance of legacy effects on N2O emissions, emphasize the importance of long-term experiments for accurate N2O emission estimates, and underscore the need for mitigation practices to reduce N2O emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Haoyu Qian & Zhengqi Yuan & Nana Chen & Xiangcheng Zhu & Shan Huang & Changying Lu & Kailou Liu & Feng Zhou & Pete Smith & Hanqin Tian & Qiang Xu & Jianwen Zou & Shuwei Liu & Zhenwei Song & Weijian Zh, 2025. "Legacy effects cause systematic underestimation of N2O emission factors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58090-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58090-0
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