Conclusions
Our
field experiments show that the alpine steppe was a net source of
N2O. Our results also demonstrate that N addition
intensified
N2O
emission, while altered precipitation and its interaction with N
addition did not affect N2O emission.
Changes
in N2O flux were attributable to the synergy between
soil abiotic parameters and functional microorganisms. Most importantly,
however, altered precipitation attenuated the response of
N2O flux to N addition, thereby mitigating
N2O emissions. This study provides necessary insight to
predict the future responses of N2O emissions to
long-term N deposition and precipitation alterations in alpine
grasslands.