The adsorption and dissociation of methane and carbon dioxide for reforming on nickel catalysts were extensively investigated by TPSR, TPD, XPS and pulse reaction methods. These studies showed that the decomposition of methane results in the formation of at least three kinds of surface carbon species on supported nickel catalysts. Carbidic Cα, carbonaceous Cβ and carbidic clusters Cγ surface carbon species formed by the decomposition of methane demonstrated different surface mobility, thermal stability and reactivity. Carbidic Cα is a very active and important intermediate in carbon dioxide reforming with methane, and the carbidic clusters Cγ species might be the precursor of surface carbon deposition. The partially dehydrogenated Cβ species can react with H2 or CO2 to form CH4 or CO. On the other hand, it was proven that CO2 can be weakly adsorbed on supported nickel catalysts, and only one kind of CO2 adsorption state is formed. The interaction mechanism between the species dissociated from CH4 and CO2 during reforming was then hypothesized.