Forest soils can still consume methane even when deprived of it for 75 days. However, the ability to oxidize methane varies with soil moisture levels. Soils from dry periods lose this ability over time, while soils from wet periods maintain it. The rate of methane oxidation increases with higher methane concentrations, but exposure to 160 or 1000 ppm methane for up to 7 weeks doesn't improve this capacity. This suggests that bacteria in the soil can use other substances when methane is scarce, and their growth is limited by factors beyond just methane availability.