Louisiana Marsh Soil Survey

Soil samples were collected from 6 marsh sites in southwest Louisiana ranging from fresh to brackish/intermediate water. The 21 plots per site were organized in three transects: native plant communities (n=7), invasive Phragmites monoculutres (n=7), and the transitions between the two communities, where Phragmites is present with native plants (n=7). Soils were collected with a sterile soil corer (50cm diameter) to 10cm depth. Samples were homogenized and stored on dry ice until arrive in the lab where they were stored at -80. DNA was extracted with QIagen DNA PowerSoil kit following standard protocols. DNA extractions were standardied and amplified with dual-step PCR before purification with AMPure. Samples were pooled and sequenced on Illumina miseq 300bp PE.