Restoration of Peatlands
Peatlands are terrestrial, water-saturated ecosystems where waterlogging and the resulting lack of air inhibit the complete decomposition of plant material. This process leads to the accumulation of organic material, specifically peat, since the rate of organic matter buildup exceeds the rate of decomposition (https://peatlands.org/peatlands/what-are-peatlands/).
Originally, peatlands covered more than 5% of Germany's land area, amounting to approximately 17,800 km². However, due to drainage and peat extraction, only 12,800 km² (3.6%) remain today, most of which are in poor condition, while the rest has been destroyed. Over 95% of the remaining peatlands have been drained and are used for various purposes: 72% for agriculture, 14% for forestry, and 7% for transportation and urban development. Peat extraction is still ongoing in 1.5% of these areas. Only 4% of the remaining peatlands are designated as protected areas, such as nature reserves and SAC sites under the EU Habitats Directive (https://mowi.botanik.uni-greifswald.de/moore-in-deutschland.html). This situation suggests that around 12,000 km² of former peatlands, particularly in northern and southern Germany, theoretically could be restored through rewetting efforts.
Various types of peatlands can be categorized based on their formation (Zerbe & Wiegleb 2016). Broadly, there are two main types: ombrotrophic bogs and fen peatlands. Ombrotrophic bogs, which are primarily or exclusively nourished by precipitation, are characterized by extremely low nutrient levels and high acidity. This category includes true raised bogs, blanket bogs (found in the British Isles), and sparsely forested raised bogs located in the Baltic region and Southern Scandinavia. These bogs are predominantly formed by specific species of Sphagnum moss, and they correspond to several EU Natura 2000 Habitat Codes: 7110, 7120, 7140, and 7150.
In contrast, fen peatlands are found on waterlogged soils that rely on the groundwater table for their water supply. These ecosystems are minerotrophic, which means they generally have higher nutrient levels and lower acidity compared to bogs. Fen habitats include tall and short sedge beds, reed beds, and Aapa mires (typically found in Northern Scandinavia). If left undisturbed, fens can naturally develop into alder, birch, or, less commonly, spruce swamp forests, depending on the availability of nutrients. The various types of fen peatlands align with EU Habitat Codes 7210, 7230, and 91D0. Additionally, transitional peatlands can be found between fens and raised bogs (Ellenberg & Leuschner 2010, https://www.greifswaldmoor.de/).
Raised bog types have predominantly been destroyed due to peat extraction, followed by conversion to agricultural land, while fens have generally been directly drained for agricultural purposes. Nevertheless, all types of peatlands can be restored through rewetting and the re-establishment of waterlogged conditions. This restoration process creates an environment where dead organic material (mainly plant biomass) is not fully decomposed, allowing for peat formation to occur again under anaerobic conditions.
However, the restoration of raised bogs is dependent upon specific conditions, such as leaving a sufficiently thick layer of peat mud above the mineral soil after peat extraction (Zerbe & Wiegleb 2016). When these conditions are met, raised bog vegetation can re-establish itself, often relatively quickly. Despite this potential for restoration, predicting the sustainability and extent of peat formation under current climatic conditions, as well as the influence of nutrient-rich atmospheric deposition, remains a significant challenge (Greifswald Moorzentrum).
The primary goal of restoring drained, former peatland areas is to stop the ongoing decomposition of peats and the associated CO2 emissions. Peatlands, which occupy only five percent of Germany's land area, are responsible for approximately 53 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2) in greenhouse gas emissions. This accounts for more than one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions related to agriculture and roughly 7.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. To mitigate these emissions, it is essential to raise water levels in drained peatlands. Additionally, restored peatlands provide habitats for highly specialized, rare, and endangered species of plants and animals, and they play vital roles as temperature and moisture regulators due to their capacity to retain water (https://www.bmuv.de/themen/naturschutz/moorschutz).
For these reasons, the federal government has adopted a National Peatland Protection Strategy as part of the "Natural Climate Protection" action program (ANK = “Aktionsprogramm Natürlicher Klimaschutz”). This initiative aims to support the federal government's climate protection targets while enhancing the protection and restoration of the peatlands' unique biodiversity. The ANK has allocated a total of four billion euros for various measures through 2026, with a focus on financing specific restoration efforts and providing incentives for climate-friendly and nature-compatible land management practices.
Photo Gallery
Sources
Ellenberg H., Leuschner C. (2010): Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen: In ökologischer, dynamischer und historischer Sicht. Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart.
https://mowi.botanik.uni-greifswald.de/moore-in-deutschland.html
https://peatlands.org/peatlands/what-are-peatlands/
https://www.greifswaldmoor.de/
https://www.bmuv.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Pools/Broschueren/nationale_moorschutzstrategie_bf.pdf
https://www.natuerlicher-klimaschutz.de/
Zerbe, S. & Wiegleb, G. (Hrsg.) (2016): Renaturierung von Ökosystemen in Mitteleuropa. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg.