Lakes and other wetlands are an important source of methane, the third most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. However, the absolute contribution of methane from these ecosystems to the atmosphere and the
role of abiotic and biotic factors in determining overall methane fluxes are still under debate. As a consequence it is presently difficult to assess how methane from wetlands will respond to future climatic change. Within a one-day symposium on 12 September 2011, invited contributions will address aspects as different as the microbial production of methane in lakes and other wetlands, the uptake of methane within lake and stream food webs, the biotic and abiotic controls of methane fluxes in these ecosystems and the role of methane from lakes and wetlands as drivers of past and future climate change. Participation is free of charge, but attendees are kindly requested to register on by 19 August 2011.