Spatiotemporal variations of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from two reservoirs in SW China

► We examined the nutrition status and the impact of anthropogenic N input on N2O production and saturation in reservoirs. ► The nitrous oxide emissions from reservoirs in subtropical region have been reported. ► Reservoir surface represented a continuous source of N2O to the atmosphere yearly. ► N2O emission by discharged water during hydropower generation was significantly large, and hence can't be ignored.