How tree traits modulate tree methane fluxes: A review

Abstract

Trees can play different roles in the regulation of fluxes of methane (CH₄), a greenhouse gas with a warming potential 83 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Forest soils have the greatest potential for methane uptake compared to other land uses. In addition to their influence on soil CH₄ fluxes, trees can act directly as a source or sink of CH₄, by transporting CH₄ produced in the soil and harbouring the key microorganisms involved in CH₄ production and consumption (methanogens and methanotrophs). Tree CH₄ fluxes can vary between species characterized by different traits that influence transport and modify the availability of CH₄ reaction substrates as well as the habitat for methanogens and methanotrophs. Despite their important role in modulating CH₄ fluxes from forest ecosystems, the identity and role of tree traits influencing these fluxes are poorly consolidated in the literature. The objectives of this paper are to 1) Review the functional traits of trees associated with their role in the regulation of CH₄ emissions; 2) Assess the importance of inter-specific variability in CH₄ fluxes via a global analysis of tree methane fluxes in the literature. Our review highlights that differences in CH₄ fluxes between tree species and individuals can be explained by a diversity of traits influencing CH₄ transport and microbial production of CH₄ such as wood density and secondary metabolites. We propose a functional classification for trees based on the key traits associated with a function in CH₄ emissions. We identified the fast-growing species with low wood density, species adapted to flood and species vulnerable to rot as functional groups which can be net sources of CH₄ in conditions favorable to CH₄ production. The global analysis further demonstrated the importance of taxonomy, with other factors such as land type and season in explaining variability in tree CH₄ fluxes.

Keywords: CH(4); Climate regulation; Functional traits; Tree-mediated methane emissions.