Global analysis of the potential for N2O production in natural soils

A. F. Bouwman, I. Fung, E. Matthews, J. John

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

A simple global model of the production potential of nitrous oxide (N2O) in natural soils is developed to analyze the relative importance, both geographically and seasonally, of the different controls on N2O production at the global scale. Five major controls on N2O production are included: (1) input of organic matter, (2) soil fertility, (3) soil moisture status, (4) temperature, and (5) soil oxygen status. Indices for the controls are derived from global gridded (1°×1° resolution) data bases of soil type, soil texture, NDVI and climate. The model explains close to 60% of the variability found in measurements reported at about 30 sites in six different ecosystems throughout the world. Although this result is reasonable for global analyses, the correlation is considered insufficient to make global estimates of nitrous oxide emission with confidence. The model confirms conclusions from earlier studies that the major source regions of nitrous oxide are in the tropics.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)557-597
JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 1993

Keywords

  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Biosphere/atmosphere interactions
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Geochemical cycles
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Troposphere-composition and chemistry

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