“The wonderland of paludifarming: how wetlands can save our climate”

Are you familiar with the term paludifarming or paludiculture? Behind this mysterious term lies a fascinating possibility of how our wetlands can contribute to saving the climate. In a world where climate change is an increasingly threatening reality, these wet ecosystems offer an unexpected glimmer of hope. Let’s delve into the world of paludifarming together and find out how you can protect our climate and reduce CO2 emissions. It is a fascinating way in which we can help to save our moors and reduce CO2 emissions at the same time. Peatlands are important players in the fight against climate change, and they have the potential to store more CO2 than all the world’s forests put together. But before we take a closer look at paludifarming, let’s remind ourselves of the treasure our moors hold.

Peatlands – climate protectors in disguise

Peatlands are inconspicuous heroes in global climate protection. They have the unique ability to store an impressive amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), even more than all the world’s forests combined. This may sound surprising, but it is the result of centuries of research. Peatlands cover only three percent of the earth’s surface, while forests make up around 30 percent. Bogs owe this amazing storage potential to the peat mosses that thrive on their moist surfaces. These mosses absorb CO2 from the air and grow continuously, while older parts of the plant die under water. Over time, these plant residues turn into peat in the absence of oxygen – a much sought-after raw material in agriculture.

Peat – a valuable raw material with two sides

Peat is not only an important component of potting soil and plant substrates, but also an important raw material in agriculture. It can store large quantities of water and is therefore used in various applications. Ornamental plants, vegetables and even seedlings in professional horticulture thrive on peat soil. However, this is where the problem lies: draining peatlands not only leads to the destruction of this valuable climate protection potential, but also to the release of nitrous oxide, which is over 300 times more harmful to the climate than CO2. Germany, which is pursuing ambitious climate targets, has a serious problem. Over 90 percent of the country’s moors are drained, which causes around 50 million tons of CO2 emissions every year – that is almost seven percent of Germany’s total emissions.

The urgent need for rewetting

Experts agree that rewetting the moors is urgently needed. This drastic step is necessary in order to achieve the climate targets of the Paris Agreement. The German government has adopted an action plan to drive forward this crucial measure. But here we run into a problem – the majority of German moorland belongs to private landowners. Without incentives for farmers to convert their arable land back into wet moorland, they will suffer losses.

Paludifarming as a solution for the moors

The solution to this dilemma is the innovative concept of paludifarming. This model was developed to harmonize the protection and sustainable use of peatlands. Paludifarming identifies certain types of moss that grow particularly quickly. These can be harvested after a few years and sold as white peat, which is used as a nutrient substrate in plant cultivation. This would generate income for farmers and at the same time reduce the need for “real” peat, which is mainly extracted abroad.

There are also other exciting opportunities for paludifarming. For example, water buffalo could be allowed to graze on these wet areas, as their claws can stand perfectly on wet ground. Or reeds could be grown, which are needed for thatched roofs, especially in northern Germany. In fact, there are numerous ideas on how peatlands can be used sustainably and economically. However, it will take a few more years before ecologically and economically stable concepts become established.

The future of the moors is in our hands

Paludifarming offers a promising solution for protecting our peatlands, preserving their immense CO2 storage capacity and creating economic benefits at the same time. Germany and other countries should seize this opportunity to achieve their climate targets and preserve our world’s valuable peatlands. It is up to us to protect these precious ecosystems and at the same time master the challenges of climate change. Paludiculture – a term we should remember, because it could be the key to a more sustainable future.