The over all objectives of this project were :
To characterize variability of Methane flux as a function of vegetation type, photosynthetic rate, and biomass in natural wetlands and rice fields.
To quantify the carbon cycle at a freshwater marsh, which would define the relationship between primary productivity and methane emission at a site on ana annual (seasonal) basis.
To understand the processes controlling the quantity of methane produced per unit of carbon fixed within a wetland. Methane Oxidation within the photosphere of aquatic plants is considered to be a primary factor controlling this variation.
In working towards achieving these goals, we report a linear relationship between net ecosystem exchange of carbon and methane emission across a wide variety of wetlands from the subtropics to the subarctic. Linear relationships between methane emission and net ecosystem exchange of CO₂ and live aboveground biomass are also reported for measurements conducted with in a single rice field.