Vertical Patterns of Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities along a Soil Depth Gradient in a Natural Picea crassifolia Forest in Qinghai Province, China

Soil bacterial and fungal communities play different roles in maintaining the ecosystem structure functions. However, these differences, which are related to soil depths, remain unclear subject of this study. We selected six sample plots (20 m × 50 m) a natural Picea crassifolia forest an alpine meadow determine vertical patterns (0~10 cm, 10~20 20~30 30~50 cm) communities, predict their potential The phyla Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria dominated bacteria, with more than 50% relative abundance, while fungi Basidiomycota Ascomycota fungi. functions including metabolism transcription, increased depth, corresponded specific taxa. functional guilds fungi, endophytes, arbuscular mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, did not change depth. structural equation modeling analysis revealed that organic carbon (SOC) pH were key drivers shaping 0–50 cm layer. SOC was also driver α diversity. plot, namely, its geographic locations, another β diversity functions, but depth not. Our results differentiate importance location respectively, indicate examining microbial composition corresponding concomitantly is important for maintenance management