Soil N2O emissions and functional genes in response to grazing grassland with livestock: A meta-analysis

Livestock grazing affects nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from grassland ecosystems by altering soil physical, chemical and biological properties. However, how soil N2O emissions related to nitrogen process rates and functional genes are unexplored. We compiled 83 published studies of soil N2O emissions, potential nitrification and denitrification rates, and the abundance of nitrogen functional genes to uncover their associations with varying intensities of livestock grazing. Compared to ungrazed condition, heavy and moderate grazing reduced N2O emissions by 22-25%, nitrification rate by 23-37%, and denitrification rate by 44-48%, respectively, while light grazing had no effect. Furthermore, moderate to heavy grazing intensities decreased the abundances of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria ammonia monooxygenase (AOB amoA) by 40-47%. Heavy grazing also simultaneously decreased ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA amoA) by 43%. Additionally, grazing significantly decreased the abundance of nitrate reductase (narG) and nitrite reductase (nirS) and by 28% and 35%, respectively, but did not affect the abundance of nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ). Overall, potential nitrification rate was positively correlated with AOB amoA and AOA amoA abundances. This global-scale assessment demonstrates that moderate to heavy livestock grazing can reduce grassland N2O emissions, and such reductions were linked to decreased abundances of amoA genes with decreasing soil moisture and inorganic N (NO3- and NH4+) availabilities. Considering that heavy grazing may increase the risk of grassland degradation, we recommend that livestock grazing at an appropriately moderate intensity is important for sustaining livestock production while contributing to greenhouse gas mitigation.

Automated summary

Livestock grazing can impact nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from grassland ecosystems by changing soil properties. This study analyzed 83 published studies and found that heavy and moderate grazing reduced N2O emissions, nitrification, and denitrification rates, while light grazing had no effect. Furthermore, grazing decreased the abundance of certain functional genes involved in nitrogen processes. Moderately to heavily grazed grasslands had lower abundances of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea, as well as nitrate and nitrite reductases. Overall, moderate to heavy grazing can reduce N2O emissions and contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation, but heavy grazing may increase the risk of grassland degradation.