Biological soil crust communities along an elevational gradient in Reynolds Creek CZO

Few studies have examined bacterial communities in biological soil crusts (BSCs) associated with cold steppe ecosystems, which span a wide range of climate conditions and are sensitive to climate change-related environmental transitions. Here, we examined BSC bacterial communities with respect to climatic gradients (elevation), land management practices (grazing vs. non-grazing), and shrub/intershrub patches in southwestern Idaho, USA. Particular attention was paid to nitrogen-cycling and responsible taxa.