Permafrost soils microbial diversity
We investigated changes in the permafrost/active layer microbial community of three sites representative of distinct permafrost thaw stages in the south of the Vitim Plateau. A comprehensive analysis revealed site- and horizon-specific patterns of the microbial distribution at the seasonally thawing permafrost soils. The aim of our research was to assess the taxonomic prokaryotic diversity in soil-ecological niches across Darkhituy-Khaimisan transect during the maximum thawing in September, 2022. This maximal thawing stage gives us a chance to identify taxonomical diversity of permafrost and to assess differences among microbial communities at the distinct layers.