Baldcypress-associated fungal raw sequences obtained from rhizosphere soil and root endosphere along salinity gradient in coastal swamps Raw sequence reads
Plant roots assemble two distinct microbial compartments: the rhizosphere (microbes in soil surrounding roots) and the endosphere (microbes within roots). Our knowledge of fungal community assembly in these compartments is limited, especially in wetlands. We tested the hypothesis that biotic factors would have direct effects on rhizosphere and endosphere assembly, while abiotic factors would have direct and indirect effects. Using a field study, we examined the influences of salinity, water level and biotic factors on baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) fungal communities. Fungal community composition was characterized by an amplicon sequencing approach targeting the fungal barcode 18S rDNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS1) region. This study highlight the importance of assessing how environmental changes affect plant and plant-associated fungal communities in wetland ecosystems where saltwater intrusion and sea level rise are major threats to both plant and fungal communities.