title: 454 sequencing of nosZ clade II: sandy sediment, habitat diversity level 4
design: DNA was extracted from sediments using the Fast DNA Spin Kit for Soil (MP Biomedicals, Santa Ana, USA). A two-step PCR was performed to amplify the nitrous oxide reductase gene nosZII (primers: nosZII-F/nosZII-R, Jones et al., 2013) and introduce the barcode, sequencing key and adapter. Pyrosequencing was performed by Genoscreen (Lille, France) on a RocheÕs 454 FLX+ Sequencer.