The sagebrush leaf microbiome is a previously undescribed component of the sagebrush steppe ecosystem with significant implications for plant health and, by extension, ecosystem functioning. In this study we characterized the microbial community from the leaves of Basin Big Sagebrush, a foundation species in the most widespread ecosystem in the western United States, the sagebrush steppe. We found significant changes in community structure over time, driven mainly by environmental factors such as air temperature and wind speed. Our findings demonstrate the impact of a changing environment on even the smallest components of an important ecosystem.
