Taxonomic response of soil microbial communities to fire and anthropogenic disturbance in Southern Appalachian Mountains
Bacterial (16S rRNA v4 region) and fungal (ITS1F/ITS2 primers) sequences associated with soil samples collected in North Carolina, USA at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory (WS31/WS32) and Nantahala National Forest (Camp Branch/Upper Arrowwood) in four different watersheds. WS31 was treated with ericaceous shrub removal and three prescribed burns since 2019, WS32 has not been disturbed or affected by fire since 1927, CB experienced a severe wildfire in 2016, and UA demonstrates evidence of land-use disturbance. This study provides further context to microbial influence on ecosystem dynamics following fire and anthropogenic disturbance on Southern Appalachian Forest soil.We acknowledge USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory for their collaboration on this project and grant "USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Award 2017-67019-26544)" for the implementation of prescribed burns.