Abstract: Coastal reclamation area is an agricultural region formed by artificial transformation of coastal tidal flats. Changes in land use types would reshape regional carbon cycling patterns. Methane (CH₄) is a short-lived greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential, the emission of which is a key contributor to the accelerated global climate change. As an integral component of coastal reclamation areas, agricultural drainage ditches play a key role in regulating regional water-salt balance and material cycling. As heavily influenced by unique hydrological proce-sses and nutrient inputs, CH₄ emissions from drainage ditches in these areas are active and non-negligible. We reviewed the current progress in CH₄ metabolism within agricultural drainage ditches of coastal reclamation areas, focusing on the processes of CH₄ production, oxidation, emission and influencing factors. Future research should focus on the CH₄ emission mechanisms under the influence of desalination-resalting processes and algal bloom dynamics, as well as accurately estimating regional-scale fluxes. The goal is to provide a scientific foundation for the formulation of carbon mitigation strategies in coastal reclamation areas.

Key words: coastal reclamation area, agricultural drainage ditch, desalination-resalting process, methane production, methane oxidation, methane emission