Barking up the right tree: ecological insights into the microbiome of bald cypress tree bark

Wetlands are important for nutrient cycling and water quality regulation. Our study provides insights into microbial dynamics of these ecosystems and how hydrology can impact the microbial communities present, which in turn may be impacting water quality. This work is the first to the describe the bark microbiome of a wetland tree species and lays the groundwork for future studies assessing the functional role of the microbiome in wetland ecosystem services.