Measuring Microbial Diversity and Function Across the United States.

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) has placed measurements associated with soil biology and biogeochemistry as some of its highest priorities due to the lack of current information in these areas to inform climate change models. Microbes drive biogeochemical cycles and understanding their diversity and activity is crucial in ecosystem processes. The scientific design associated with measuring diversity and function of microbial communities at NEON sites throughout the United States is presented. Microbial communities will be measured from up to 10 plots per site in dominant vegetation and soil types. Temporal optimization of sampling will occur in the first two years to identify the extent and timing of seasonal variation. Bacterial, archaeal, and fungal diversity, function, and biomass will be measured up to three times per year. The soil metagenome will be sequenced for each plot every 3-5 years. All data will be immediately accessible to the public following quality checks.