Abstract:Unsaturated soils are the only known biogenic sinks of CH_4. In this paper we summarized the CH_4 oxidizing process in unsaturated soil and its influent factors. Methanotrophs can use atmospheric methane as the only source of carbon and energy because of the low critical concentration for methane oxidation. In General, CH_4 absorption rate is inversely proportional to soil moisture. The activity of methanotrophs becomes small if the transfer of CH_4 and O_2 from atmosphere to soils is prevented when soil mo...