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Natural Climate Protection through Peatland Rewetting: A Future for the Rathsbruch Peatland in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Petra Schneider

    (Department Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Breitscheidstr. 2, D-39114 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Tino Fauk

    (Department Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Breitscheidstr. 2, D-39114 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Florin-Constantin Mihai

    (CERNESIM Environmental Research Center, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, 700506 Iasi, Romania)

  • Harald Junker

    (Landkreis Wittenberg, Untere Naturschutzbehörde, Breitscheidstraße 3, D-06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany)

  • Bernd Ettmer

    (Department Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Breitscheidstr. 2, D-39114 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Volker Lüderitz

    (Department Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Breitscheidstr. 2, D-39114 Magdeburg, Germany)

Abstract

Draining peatlands to create agricultural land has been the norm in Europe, but in the context of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, these rich ecosystems may reactivate their functions as greenhouse gas sinks and retreat spaces for animals and plants. Against this background, the National Moor Rewetting Strategy was put into effect in Germany in 2023, together with the Natural Climate Protection Action Plan. This article examines the methodology of peatland rewetting from scientific, administrative, social, and technical perspectives. The article focuses on an example of moor rewetting in central Germany: the Rathsbruch moor near the municipality of Zerbst, Saxony-Anhalt. To illustrate the importance of rewetting projects for degraded peatlands, five scenarios with different target soil water levels were considered, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions were calculated for a period of five years. For the planning solution, an estimate of the medium-to-long-term development of the habitat types was made based on current use and the dynamics typical of the habitat. The results for the Rathsbruch moor area showed that increasing the water level in steps of 1, 0.8, or 0.5 m has no significant influence on reducing the CO 2 emissions situation, while a depth of 0.3 m has a slight influence. When the water was raised to 0.1 m below the surface (Scenario 5), a significant CO 2 reduction was observed. The calculated avoided CO 2 costs due to environmental damage show that the environmental benefits multiply with every decimeter of water level increase. The rising groundwater levels and extensification favor the establishment of local biotopes. This means that two of the biggest man-made problems (extinction of species and climate change) can be reduced. Therefore, this research is applicable to the development and planning of recultivation work at municipal and regional levels in Germany and beyond within the framework of EU restoration policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Petra Schneider & Tino Fauk & Florin-Constantin Mihai & Harald Junker & Bernd Ettmer & Volker Lüderitz, 2024. "Natural Climate Protection through Peatland Rewetting: A Future for the Rathsbruch Peatland in Germany," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-31, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:5:p:581-:d:1384389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martino, Simone & Kenter, Jasper O. & Albers, Nora & Whittingham, Mark J. & Young, Dylan M. & Pearce-Higgins, James W. & Martin-Ortega, Julia & Glenk, Klaus & Reed, Mark S., 2022. "Trade-offs between the natural environment and recreational infrastructure: A case study about peatlands under different management scenarios," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
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