How water-level drawdown modifies litter-decomposing fungal and actinobacterial communities in boreal peatlands

► Changes in water-level affect the decomposition and global carbon pools in peatlands. ► We examine the role of water-level on litter-inhabiting microbial communities. ► Water-level modifies litter-inhabiting microbial communities largely via litter quality. ► The results reflect the idea of functional redundancy in microbial communities.