Soil pH dominates elevational diversity pattern for bacteria in high elevation alkaline soils on the Tibetan Plateau

• DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz003
• Publication Date: 2019-01-08T15:41:40Z
• Authors: Congcong Shen; Yu Shi; Kunkun Fan; Jin-Sheng He; Jonathan M Adams; Yuan Ge; Haiyan Chu
• Keywords: Elevation (ballistics); Phylogenetic diversity

Although studies of elevational diversity gradient for microbes have attracted considerable attention, the generality these patterns and their underlying drivers are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated bacterial distribution across a high (4328−5228 m a.s.l.) along Nyainqêntanglha mountains on Southwestern Tibetan Plateau. We found decreasing trend with increasing elevation, pH contributing most to variation, followed by elevation mean annual temperature (MAT). Bacterial community composition differed taxonomically phylogenetically elevation. Furthermore, partial Mantel analyzes showed that was significantly influenced MAT. Phylogenetic structure analysis indicated deterministic processes (related pH) determined assembly this gradient. Our results reinforce observed rule is foremost importance in driving patterns. also suggest absence tree cover human disturbance might be important allowing an reveal itself. Review other suggests at higher elevations generally true above line.