Strong partitioning of soil bacterial community composition and co-occurrence networks along a small-scale elevational gradient on Zijin Mountain

The elevational distributions of bacterial communities in natural mountain forests, especially along large gradients, have been studied for many years. However, the distributional patterns that underlie variations soil small-scale gradients urban ecosystems are not yet well understood. Using Illumina MiSeq DNA sequencing, we surveyed at three elevations on Zijin Mountain Nanjing City: hilltop (300 m a.s.l.), hillside (150 and foot hill (0 a.s.l.). results showed edaphic properties differed significantly with elevation. Bacterial community composition, rather than alpha diversity, strongly among (Adonis: R2 = 0.12, P<0.01). Adonis DistLM analyses demonstrated composition was highly correlated pH, elevation, total nitrogen (TN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC). degree scores, betweenness centralities, keystone species were distinct elevations. These demonstrate strong partitioning gradient Mountain. Soil pH elevation together drove distribution communities. This study broadens our understanding biotic co-occurrence associations from to short gradients.