Tree species diversity increases nitrification coupled denitrification derived nitrous oxide production in a subtropical forest

Globally, sub/tropical forests are assumed to be an important source of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O), which is regulated by a wide variety of microbial communities in multiple biological pathways. Plant diversity continues to decline globally due to habitat conversion and degradation, but its influence on soil N2O emission remains uncertain. Here we use a combination of metagenomics sequencing, dual-label 15N–18O isotope techniques and transcriptome analysis to examine microbial mechanisms operative for N2O production from a plant diversity gradient in subtropical forest.