Effects of water and nitrogen addition on ecosystem respiration across three types of steppe: The role of plant and microbial biomass

Water and N addition differentially affected microbial biomass carbon (MBC), plant aboveground biomass (AB), and thus ecosystem respiration (Reco) in meadow steppe, typical steppe, and desert steppe, northern China. Solid arrows indicate significantly positive (+) and negative (−) effects (P < 0.05), respectively; the pathways without significant effects are indicated by broken lines (P > 0.05).650