Functional traits of denitrification in a subtropical forest catchment in China with high atmogenic N deposition

► Forests with acid soils in subtropical China have high denitrification potentials. ► Potential denitrification and product stoichiometry differ with landscape position. ► Denitrification in mesic top soils on hillslopes has inherently high N2O/N2 ratios. ► Colluvium with high groundwater levels have lower ratios. ► Contrasts in denitrifier functioning explain spatial distribution of N2O emissions.