New Research Shows Paludiculture Could Boost Farm Productivity and Nature Recovery

A growing body of evidence is showing what many in the paludiculture community have long suspected: wetter farming doesn’t just help cut carbon emissions—it can also create thriving habitats for wildlife.

A new study led by the RSPB and the Centre for Landscape Regeneration at the University of Cambridge, published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence (2026), has found that paludiculture sites support bird communities that are richer, more abundant, and more diverse than those found on drained agricultural grasslands. In fact, bird numbers on paludiculture plots were comparable to those found in natural wetlands.

This research provides some of the clearest evidence yet that wetter farming can deliver ecological gains and environmental benefits — without taking land out of productive use.

Paludiculture study site, Netherlands. Credit - Josh Copping

Three Times More Birds on Paludiculture Sites

The research team surveyed Natural wetland, Typha (bulrush) paludiculture and Drained, grazed grassland across several sites in the Netherlands, and their findings were striking.

Reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), individual perched on reed stem, RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve, Hertfordshire. George Styles (rspb-images.com)

• Natural wetland: 32 birds/ha

• Typha paludiculture: 30 birds/ha

• Agricultural grassland: 10 birds/ha

Paludiculture sites hosted three times as many birds as drained grasslands, including a unique mix of wetland specialists—such as Reed Buntings, Reed Warblers, and Sedge Warblers—alongside typical farmland species. Importantly, several species of European or global conservation concern were recorded on the paludiculture plots, so while paludiculture doesn’t recreate a natural wetland, the results show it can become a valuable habitat in wetland–grassland landscapes, particularly if management avoids disturbing birds during the breeding season.

Dr Joshua Copping, RSPB Conservation Scientist and co-lead author:

“Farmed wetlands support bird communities simply not found on drained grasslands. As the sector develops, paludiculture could help deliver a just transition for farmers who wish to continue farming while contributing to a nature-rich landscape.”

A Climate Solution With Commercial Potential

Lowland peat soils—such as those in the Fens and Somerset Levels—are some of the UK’s most carbon-rich landscapes. However, centuries of drainage have turned them into major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. By keeping peat wet and growing crops adapted to flooded or waterlogged conditions, it is possible to:

• dramatically reduce peat oxidation and soil erosion

• maintain productive agricultural land

• produce sustainable raw materials

• contribute to nature recovery

Typha, the crop used in the study, is already gaining traction for its uses in insulation, biobased construction materials, and textiles—offering a potential income stream for farmers transitioning to wetter practices.

The UK is now taking its first steps into commercial-scale paludiculture. A major trial led by FWAG Southwest, in partnership with the RSPB, is testing how to establish and manage Typha crops at RSPB Greylake in Somerset. This project, funded by Natural England’s Paludiculture Exploration Fund, is also exploring whether Typha can help remove excess nutrients from local catchments—a bonus for improving wetland condition.

According to Will Barnard of FWAG South West:

“Paludiculture inevitably requires vision and external support. If we can harness the innovation of the farming sector, it offers the rare opportunity to blend real commercial growth with lowering our environmental footprint.”

A Nature‑Positive Future for Lowland Peat

For the UK to reach Net Zero and reverse biodiversity declines, a major shift in land use on lowland peat is needed. This new research strengthens the case for integrating paludiculture alongside peatland restoration and traditional wetland management.

With the right mix of policy support, investment, research, and market development, paludiculture could:

• cut emissions

• support farm businesses

• restore wildlife-rich landscapes

• produce food and fibre

• help deliver a just transition for rural communities

As Alice Groom, RSPB Head of Sustainable Land Use Policy, warns, time is short:

“Drained peatlands are degrading fast. Combined with wetland restoration, re-wetting peat through paludiculture offers a path to a more resilient farming future while tackling the climate and nature crises.”

Why This Matters for the UK Paludiculture Community

This study represents an important milestone. For farmers, advisers, scientists, and policymakers working to develop a new wet-farming sector in the UK, it provides clear, peer-reviewed evidence that wetland crops such as Typha can support wildlife at levels comparable to those in natural habitats. Supporting the belief that paludiculture can be part of a multifunctional landscape that balances climate, nature, and rural livelihoods. As investment grows and field trials expand, the UK is beginning to build the knowledge and confidence needed to scale wetter farming.

Copping, J.P., Waite, C.E., Balmford, A., Bradbury, R.B., van Duinen, G.A., Finch, T., Mettrop, I.S. and Field, R.H. (2026). Typha‐based paludiculture offers potential for greater bird species abundance and diversity than drained agricultural grassland, Ecological Solutions and Evidence.