Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse and ozone-depleting gas produced largely from microbial nitrogen cycling processes, and human activities have resulted in increases in atmospheric N₂O. We investigate the role of physical and chemical disturbances to soils and sediments in N₂O production. We demonstrate that physicochemical perturbation increases N₂O production, microbial community adapts over time, and initial perturbation appears to confer resilience to subsequent disturbance.