Moore in Ammerland: Agriculture meets climate protection – the future!

Moore in Ammerland: Agriculture meets climate protection – the future!

In Ammerland, the moors are the focus of current discussions, because the rewetting of these valuable habitats is intended to combine climate protection and agriculture. The big challenge: Agriculture is not only the largest user of land, it also has to find more climate-friendly ways to secure its livelihood. Rewetting is seen as the only sustainable way to turn the moors into “climate savings boxes” again, as nwzonline.de reports.

In Germany, over 92 percent of moor areas have been drained, and almost three quarters of these areas are used for agricultural purposes. Although these areas only make up 7 percent of the land used for agriculture, they are responsible for around 37 percent of agricultural CO2 emissions. Any step toward rewetting could help significantly reduce these emissions. However, there are concerns: the preservation and rewetting of the moors could be perceived as extensive interference with current use, which unsettles many farmers, according to umweltbundesamt.de.

Paludiculture as a solution

Paludiculture, a special form of agriculture that is practiced on wet moors, offers a ray of hope in this situation. Not only does it enable the cultivation of sustainable raw materials such as reeds and cattails, but it also promotes the preservation of peat soil and contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Paludiculture has a long tradition in many regions, for example in the cultivation of reeds for thatched roofs, and represents an interesting income alternative for future farmers, as NABU recognizes.

The importance of rewetting is also underlined by the challenges it poses: sufficient water is required, and existing infrastructure such as roads or buildings can hinder the project. In addition, many moorland areas are privately owned and used commercially, which further complicates the process. Rewetting is seen as a profound change for the owners and those active on these areas, but should be implemented voluntarily and in accordance with the National Moor Protection Strategy. High financial incentives to promote rewetting are therefore essential.

Politicians and farmers called for

Politicians are now required to actively find solutions together with farmers. There are early signs that renewable energy projects are being planned on valuable peatlands, which is a cause for concern. Various actors and experts agree that the integrative design of climate protection and agricultural use can secure the future of moorland cultures. The NABU climate fund already supports many initiatives for the rewetting of moorland and is committed to climate-friendly management.

Rewetting and the associated measures are not only a step in the right direction for climate protection, but also an important signal that sustainable land use and environmental protection can go hand in hand. The time has now come for innovative solutions – for agriculture and for the preservation of the moors in Germany.