The structure of microbial communities in redoximorphic microsites of Gleysol

Abstract Microbial communities were studied in redoximorphic microsites of highly heterogeneous Gleysol at a mm scale using 16S and 18S amplicon sequencing to demonstrate if the composition soil microbes reflects differences ferric ferrous micro‐sites. In both explored gley horizons with features (Bg2 Cg), mottles significantly enriched total P Fe depleted O, Si, Al, K Ca compared adjacent groundmass (SEM–EDS). Ferric determined as oxide coatings hypocoatings. Bg2, prokaryotic micro‐eukaryotic differed between operational taxonomic units (OTUs) proportions phyla, reflecting heterogeneities properties there. Mottles Bg2 characterized by increased proportion Proteobacteria , decreased Acidobacteriota among prokaryotes dominance single proteobacterial OTU from Anaplasmataceae all other samples. The micro‐eukaryotes showed an opposite trend, unique horizons, while had similar neighbouring horizons. samples not more each than randomly selected ones horizon. That suggests that scale, sample distance does represent driving factor microbial community differ rather due physicochemical factors. spatial organization revealed has reappeared similarly organized Cg horizon, probably overriding including granulometric composition, content crystalline Fe, exchangeable organic carbon, well exposition groundwater, discussed possible reasons distinct Cg. similarity pro−/eukaryotic non‐adjacent couples no decay pattern scale. agreement patchiness was for first time confirms importance microscale patterns soil.