Soil bacterial and fungal communities along a soil chronosequence assessed by fatty acid profiling

► Microbial succession at a glacier forefield was investigated by fatty acid profiling. ► Concentrations of fatty acids in soil increase with soil age. ► Soil C and pH affect abundances of both soil bacteria and fungi. ► Ratios of AMF to bacteria or to soil fungi decrease with soil age. ► Ratio of soil fungi to bacteria remains constant along the soil chronosequence.