Abstract: Methane, one of the greenhouse gases, has a strong ability in absorbing infrared radiation and its warming potential of single molecule is 15-30 times higher than CO2. Soil methane absorption plays the significant role in the carbon and nitrogen cycle in ecosystem and carbon balance. In recent years, scientists have done a lot of researches on soil methanotrophic bacterias, and there are also many problems at the same time. This article starts with the methanotrophic microorganisms and summarizes the research advance in soil methane oxidation domestically and internationally. The various molecular biology methods used in methane oxidative bacteria community structure were introduced. It aims to synthesize the research advance in soil methane oxidation and the influence mechanism at home and abroad, which provides theoretical reasons to recognize the role of soil methanotrophic bacterias in global climate change and a theoretical guidance for carrying out the research of surficial methane flux.

Key words: methanotrophic bacteria, community structure, soil