Figure 1. Distribution of the sampling sites in the Western Swiss Alps. DNA extraction was performed on samples from 250 sites, and amplification and sequencing were done on samples from all 250 sites for the 16S rRNA gene (Bacteria: B + Archaea: A), from 217 sites for ITS1 rRNA gene operon (Fungi: F), and from 166 sites for 18S rRNA gene (Protist: P). Sites sharing data from different microbial communities are referred to as a combination of the respective abbreviations.