The influence of organic matter and soil moisture on the spatial distribution of methane (CH4) oxidation was examined in temperate zone soils by laboratory incubations. CH4 oxidation in soil cores exhibited distinct vertical zonation with maxima at 3 to 6 cm. The kinetic parameters of CH4 oxidation were measured in soil composites. The maximum rate of CH4 uptake, Vmax, ranged from 6.8 to 7.4 nmol hr-1 g dry soil-1 and the apparent half saturation constant, Km, ranged from 17.4 to 19.9 (parts per million by volume) ppmv. Oxidation in random samples was observed to be influenced by both soil moisture and organic matter contents. The rate of oxidation in each sample increased to a maximum with increasing water content and decreased with additional water. Maximum oxidation rates ranged from 2.2 to 9.0 nmol hr-1 g dry soil-1 at sample moisture contents of 18 to 51%. Organic matter content appears to explain the spatial variability of methane oxidation at optimal soil moisture contents. The oxidation maximum at this site was coincident with an organic matter content of 14% by weight and a gravimetric moisture content of 33%. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1995