Nitrous oxide emission from a flooded tropical wetland across a vegetation and land use gradient

Abstract This study investigated, using the closed chamber method, impact of (1) vegetation community type (Typha latifolia, Cyperus papyrus and Phragmites mauritianus) in a natural tropical freshwater marsh wetland (marsh) (2) conversion into rice paddy (rice paddy), on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. Both were continuously flooded, while was unfertilized. Average N2O emission from did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) among communities, ranging 0.5 to 0.6 μg m−2 h−1. Similarly, these rates different those recorded (0.7 ± 2.8 [SE] h−1). There no significant correlation between environmental parameters We concluded that does affect marshes under continuous flooding. Further, converting flooded unfertilized paddies but instead enhances carbon emission, as depicted by lower soil organic content paddy. In view climate change mitigation, therefore, management should give priority conservation/protection wetlands.