Niche differentiation of metabolically versatile diazotrophs in mangrove sediments

Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs) provide biological available nitrogen to mangrove species and thereby greatly influence the extent of nitrogen limitation in mangrove ecosystem. To better understand the niche differentation of metabolically versatile diazotrophs and its driven factors, we compared the diazotrophic community in three mangrove sites (Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang) across ten depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm, 30-40 cm, 40-50 cm, 50-60 cm, 60-70 cm, 70-80 cm, 80-90 cm, 90-100 cm).