soil metagenome
This project investigates the rhizosphere soil metagenome of an unmanaged wild tea plantation, under three distinct natural shading habitats: open sites (OP), slope-shaded sites (SS), and rainforest-shaded sites (RS). Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we aim to characterize the taxonomic composition and functional potential of soil microbial communities in response to habitat heterogeneity. Soil physicochemical properties (pH, organic matter, available phosphorus, total potassium, available potassium, etc.) were measured to identify edaphic drivers of community differentiation. The results reveal coordinated variation among soil properties, microbial community composition, and metagenome-inferred functional profiles along the natural shading gradient. This study provides insights into how vegetation structure and shading conditions influence soil nutrient status and microbial functional organization in minimally managed tea ecosystems.