Microbiome composition of wood in different stage of decay in Bialowieza National Park

Bialowieza National Park (BNP) protects the last natural forest in the European Lowland Area, having the primeval character, identical with the one which covered the area of deciduous and coniferous forests years ago. Old, primeval forest stands in BNP are characterized by large amounts of deadwood at the various stage of disintegration, and by the presence of typical natural forest species. To explore diversity in the microbiome composition of trees fallen in different periods (stage of decay), metagenomic profiles of spruce wood were analyzed and compared. The wood and soil samples have been collected in the research area of Bialowieza Geobotanical Station (Warsaw University), within the strict protection area of the BNP. The basis of the research was the hypothesis that there are substantial changes in the wood decay community over the years. The obtained results should allow elucidating the strategies employed by fungi and bacteria in adaptations to decompose softwood.