Effects of deglaciation on the succession of methanotrophic communities in inland and tidewater glaciers in the high Arctic, Svalbard

•Succession of methanotrophs occurred in both inland and tidewater glaciers.•The methanotrophic abundance increased along soil age in both glaciers.•The methanogenic abundance increased along soil age in tidewater glacier only.•The methanotrophic diversity tended to increase in richness toward late stage.•Organic carbon and nitrogen played a key role in shaping methanotrophic communities.