Moorland peat bacteria and fungi (16S and ITS). soil metagenome

We characterised the microbial communities in degraded moorland peat, and a variety of successful natural and managed restorations at a single site. Our hypothesis was that there is a dynamic interaction between soil microbes, edaphic factors, and vegetation in degraded peatlands which will be evidenced by changes in the soil microbial community associated with degradation and restoration. The results support our hypothesis and provide a basis to inform further studies which are needed to understand the roles of microbes in peatlands, and the impact of environmental change and management strategy upon their activities. We suggest that restoration success depends partly upon the readiness and response of below-ground microbial communities to the restoration activity, and that microbial community structure in peatlands may be diagnostic of future degradation risk or the progression of restoration.