A latitudinal gradient of microbial β-diversity in continental paddy soils

We used a comprehensive sampling strategy with a spatially explicit ‘L-shaped’ sampling design in 39 paddy fields in China to study the pattern of paddy soil microbial β-diversity across a latitudinal gradient (19.75°N to 47.58°N), with eleven soil samples taken within a 100 m × 100 m plot from each field. We conducted meta-analysis for both microbial organisms and macroscopic plants and animals to obtain the general insights into a global pattern of β-diversity.