Microbial diversity of roadside ditch soils

Roadside ditches are a ubiquitous part of the landscape, yet few studies have quantified their associated microbial communities. We conducted a study to determine microbial community structure using 16S rRNA gene (iTag) sequencing in roadside ditches draining predominantly forested, urban, and agricultural watersheds surrounding Mobile Bay, AL (USA). The goals of the study were to (1) determine whether land use type affects microbial community structure in road side ditches, and (2) relate microbial diversity to nitrate reduction potential rates.