Soil microbiomics of succulent thicket (Albany Subtropical Thicket)

This study examines the soil bacterial diversity in the Portulacaria afra-dominated succulent thicket vegetation of the Albany Thicket biome; this biome is endemic to South Africa. Bacterial diversity was compared across three zones: intact (undisturbed and vegetated), degraded (near complete removal of vegetation due to browsing) and restored (a previously degraded area which was replanted in 2009). The point of the study was examine the previously unstudied soil microbial community, understand the differences between the vegetated and non-vegetated areas and examine the impact of restoring degraded succulent thicket ecosystems.