Microbial PFLA data

In early June 2011, 48 experimental plots (50 × 50 cm) were established in lawn (n = 24) and hummock microhabitats (n = 24) in a Sphagnum-dominated ombrotrophic peatland in the Store Mosse National Park, Sweden (57°17’54 N, 14°00’39 E). In both microhabitats, the vascular plant functional type (PFT) composition was manipulated by removing (clipping) ericoids (–Eric), graminoids (–Gram), or both. A set of control plots remained intact. One year later, peat samples (c. 20 g. f. wt) were collected from all plots (n =48) at the aerobic/anaerobic boundary (10 – 30 cm below the peat surface, microhabitat dependent). Microbial community composition was analysed on these samples using phospholipid fatty acid analysis.