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A photograph of the sun setting over Chesapeake Bay wetlands. A warming climate could increase bacterial methane production in wetlands.

Below the peaceful surface of Chesapeake Bay tidal wetlands, methane-producing and methane-consuming microbes are competing for food. Higher temperatures may give the producers the edge.

Beata Whitehead/Moment/Getty Images Plus

🐊 Swamp Things: Wetlands and Emissions

A recent Science News story by Carolyn Gramling sheds light on the complex relationship between wetlands and methane production, revealing new insights into this potent greenhouse gas. While wetlands are vital ecosystems, their role in methane emissions—and our planet’s climate—presents both challenges and investment opportunities.

🌳Diving Deep into the Science: Wetlands and Methane

Wetlands, those soggy areas where land meets water, are home to unique communities of microorganisms. Among them are methanogens, tiny organisms that produce methane as a byproduct of their metabolism. It’s a natural process and anything but new – but with rising global temperatures and changes in land use, these methane emissions are becoming a bigger concern. In fact, wetlands are the primary source of natural methane output worldwide, and scientists have recorded spikes in wetland methane emissions in 2013 and 2020. 

🏭The Methane Mitigation Market: A Growing Opportunity

Awareness of methane emissions is fueling a surge in demand for mitigation solutions. Reducing the impact is crucial for slowing climate change. Various sectors such as livestock

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