Soil microbiota along Ayoloco glacier retreat area of Iztaccíhuatl volcano, Mexico

Glacial retreat areas offer an excellent opportunity for microbial ecologists to study ecological theories. The place of this study was the glacier retreat area of Iztaccíhuatl volcano in México (19.02°N, 98.62°W). Sampling took place at eleven different sites along the retreat area in 2008 and 2009. Soil samples (200g each) were frozen, and air-shipped to the laboratory and analysed for organic C and N, ammonia, nitrate and DNA content as a proxy for microbial biomass. The composition of the soil microbial community was analysed by ester-linked phospholipid fatty acid analysis and by PCR-DGGE.