Distribution of soil bacterial community along an elevation gradient (~3300 - 4000 m) in alpine region of the Western Himalaya.

Soil bacterial community play a crucial role in several ecosystem processes, however limited information is available regarding their response to environmental changes. The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution pattern of soil bacterial community along elevation gradient in alpine region of the Western Himalaya. We also evaluated the role of temperature and edaphic factors such as soil moisture, pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen in shaping bacterial community diversity and composition. Data generated forms the baseline to understand the impacts of climate warming on soil bacterial community in high altitude alpine ecosystems.