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Layers of Symbiosis - Visualizing the Termite Hindgut Microbial Community
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Published on: May 28, 2007

Methane formation in living trees: a microbial origin.

J G Zeikus, J C Ward

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |June 14, 1974
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Methane-producing bacteria were found in healthy hardwood trees on wet soils. These anaerobic bacteria, belonging to the Methanobacterium genus, were responsible for methane formation within the tree

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    Area of Science:

    • Environmental microbiology
    • Wood science
    • Anaerobic microbiology

    Background:

    • Poorly drained soils often lead to anaerobic conditions.
    • Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas with various natural sources.
    • The presence and origin of methane within living trees are not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the source of high methane pressures observed in healthy hardwood trees.
    • To identify and characterize the microorganisms responsible for methane production in tree heartwood.

    Main Methods:

    • Field sampling of hardwood trees from poorly drained sites.
    • Analysis of heartwood properties (moisture, pH, odor).
    • Isolation and characterization of anaerobic bacteria from heartwood.
    • Identification of methane-producing bacteria using microbiological and potentially molecular techniques.

    Main Results:

    • Healthy hardwood trees on poorly drained soils exhibited high internal methane pressures.
    • Affected heartwood was water-soaked, neutral to alkaline, and had a fetid odor.
    • A diverse community of obligately anaerobic bacteria was identified in the heartwood.
    • The primary bacterium responsible for methane formation was isolated and identified as a member of the genus Methanobacterium.

    Conclusions:

    • Obligate anaerobic bacteria, specifically Methanobacterium species, are responsible for methane production within the heartwood of hardwood trees.
    • These findings suggest that certain tree species growing in waterlogged environments can act as a source of biogenic methane.
    • Further research is needed to understand the ecological role and impact of this methane production on tree health and the environment.