Soil respiration patterns for four major land-use types of the agro-pastoral region of northern China

•Effects of land-use on soil respiration were evaluated with the dynamic chamber method.•Soil respiration was greater for cropland and perennial pasture than grassland.•Soil temperature and soil water content are the main drivers of soil respiration.•About 94% of annual soil respiration occurred during the growing season.•Conversion of grassland to cropland or perennial pasture will increase soil respiration.