Summary The exchange of CH 4 between tropical forests and the atmosphere was determined by simultaneously measuring the net CH 4 flux at the soil surface and assessing the flux contribution from soil‐feeding termite biomass, both within the soil profile and in mounds. In Cameroon the flux of CH 4 ranged from a net emission of 40.7 ng m –2 s –1 to a net CH 4 oxidation of –53.0 ng m –2 s –1 . Soil‐inhabiting termite biomass was...