The current build-up of atmospheric methane in the atmosphere and the implications as a "greenhouse" gas require an improved understanding of the processes which control the loading in the past, present and the future. Paleoatmospheric records suggest wetland emissions are a primary driver but the latitudinal distribution and ties to the global hydrologic cycle have yet to be worked out satisfactorily. New paleoisotope data and GCM simulations involving coupled vegetation models are providing critical boundary conditions for assessing the interrelationship between atmospheric methane levels and climate.
We solicit new records of atmospheric methane (high resolution paleo data, interhemispheric gradient, isotopes), digital vegetation modeling results, and new ideas that provide insight into methane biogeochemistry.