Peatland ecosystems may contribute about 65% of all natural methane emission to the atmosphere. During May—June 1988, CH4and CO2fluxes were measured with the static chamber method at the surface of a basin swamp and at three depths. The daily average fluxes of CH4and CO2at the surface of the swamp ranged from 1.146 to 2.178 mmol m−2d−1and from 1.966 to 7.242 mmol m+2d−1respectively. These amounts of CH4and CO2corresponded to 0.02–0.03% of what was released from the 45 to 60-cm depth when exposed to atmospheric pressure. Statistically significant correlations between physical and botanical peat properties and trapped CH4and CO2and water flow suggest that outgassing of trapped CH4and CO2are closely associated with the peat matrix, peat properties, hydraulic potential, temperature, and concentration gradients.