Research on soil microbial diversity

This study aims to elucidate how the continuous expansion of Ligularia virgaurea patches in alpine meadows influences the structure and function of soil microbial communities. We collected bulk soil samples from the interior of expanding L. virgaurea patches, the adjacent grassland edge, and the unaffected native grassland matrix in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq) was performed on these samples to profile taxonomic composition and functional gene potential. The generated dataset is crucial for understanding the plant-soil feedback mechanisms driving plant invasion and community succession. It will serve as a valuable resource for researchers studying soil biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and ecosystem responses to vegetation change in alpine regions.