16S rRNA sequencing is a technique used to identify bacterial species and analyze microbial communities. It involves PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, followed by next-generation sequencing. The sequences are then clustered into operational taxonomic units and annotated for species identification and phylogenetic analysis. While 16S rRNA sequencing is low-cost and universally applicable, it has limitations such as inability to differentiate closely related species and unreliable estimates of diversity and abundance.