Abstract: The interface between sediment and water plays a crucial role in matter cycling of wetlands. Bioturbation has multifaceted impacts on methane generation and oxidation as well as its transport between water column and sediments, making it a hot research topic in recent years. We conducted a comprehensive review on animal bioturbators, their disturbance characteristics, and the impact of bioturbation at the sediment-water interface on methane emissions of wetlands. The aim of this review was to provide a valuable reference for further investigation into the carbon sink function of wetlands and their effective management. Most research has demonstrated that bioturbation enhances methane emissions of wetlands, with the extent of such impact varying among different bioturbator species. Bioturbation can modify the microbial processes that produce and oxidize methane by altering the distribution of organic carbon in sediments, nutrient fluxes, and redox potential conditions. Bioturbation can directly modify sediment structure and porosity, which would facilitate methane transport through bubbling. Furthermore, bioturbators can indirectly impact methane emissions by altering vegetation and aquatic food chains at the sediment-water interface. This review underscores the necessity for strengthening future research in the following areas: (1) taking into account multiple temporal and spatial scales; (2) investigating the interactions between bioturbators and other organisms; (3) integrating various disciplines and technologies; (4) assessing the response of bioturbators to climate change; and (5) fostering applied research.

Key words: methane, sediment, bioturbation, wetland, ebullition, methane oxidation