Slope aspect shapes soil bacterial diversity and functional profiles on the Pamir Plateau

The Pamir Plateau is a critical yet extreme environment where microorganisms are essential for ecosystem functioning. This study compared soil microbial communities between its northern and southern slopes. High-throughput sequencing revealed significantly greater microbial diversity and distinct community composition on the southern slope, with Actinobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria identified as key biomarkers. Functional profiling suggested these communities are enriched in pathways related to environmental stress response and repair. Furthermore, we isolated 70 bacterial strains, including two potential new species, with preliminary screening confirming their enzyme-producing capabilities. This work provides fundamental insights into microbial adaptation and biogeography in high-altitude ecosystems and establishes a valuable resource for future bioprospecting and ecological studies.