Methanotrophs in arctic-alpine soils

Arctic-alpine ecosystems show a high spatial heterogeneity, which is related to differences in elevation and micro-topographic features like slopes, ridges and depressions. We hypothesize that this spatial variation supports different habitats for aerobic methanotrophic microorganisms due to changes in soil moisture and temperature regimes. We extracted DNA from soil samples taken from two mountain regions in the Norwegian Scandes with strong gradients in micro-topography and elevation. Quantitative PCR and amplicon sequencing of the functional marker gene pmoA was used to investigate differences in methanotrophic abundance and community composition. Additionally, quantification of the methanogenic markergene mcrA was also performed. To explore the effect of long-term temperature and soil moisture regimes on the methanotrophic communities, partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis was performed. We found a higher methanotrophic diversity and abundance in the waterlogged depressions in the low alpine belt.