METHANOGENESIS: MICROBIAL PROCESS AND GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE

Methanogenesis is a biologically driven anaerobic process conducted exclusively by methanogenic archaea that results in the formation of methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas and essential component of the global carbon cycle. Occurring in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, ruminant digestive tracts, and anaerobic digesters, methanogenesis represents the final step in the degradation of organic matter under electron acceptor‑limited conditions. This article reviews the biochemical pathways, ecological roles, and environmental relevance of methanogenesis, highlighting its contribution to carbon cycling and climate dynamics.