Impact of Water Table on Methane Emission Dynamics in Terrestrial Wetlands and Implications on Strategies for Wetland Management and Restoration

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Wetlands are considered as significant sources of methane emission, prompting the need to understand determinants of methane flux in these critical ecosystems. The importance of the water table in methane emission has been noted in terrestrial wetlands; however, the role of the water table in methane emission remains to be clarified in order for the development of strategies to mitigate methane emission from wetland ecosystems. This review examines the current literature on factors influencing methane emission in terrestrial wetlands. The water table was illustrated as an overriding factor that controls both methane generation and consumption. The contribution of other main factors, including substrate characteristics, wetland plants and temperature, to methane emission was also discussed. Building upon the growing understanding of processes underlying methane emission, strategies centered around the control of water table was proposed to minimize methane emission in wetland management and restoration efforts to maximize the ecological value of wetlands.