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This information is taken from a translation of the Leitfaden Fur Die Umsetzung Von Paludikultur, originally produced in German in 2022.

Nordt, A., Abel, S., Hirschelmann, S., Lechtape, C. & Neubert, J. (2022) Leitfaden für die Umsetzung von Paludikultur. Greifswald Moor Centrum-Schriftenreihe 05/2022 (Selbstverlag, ISSN 2627–910X), 144 S.

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With thanks to the Greifswald Moor Centrum and to funding from the Paludiculture Engagement Fund (within the Nature for Climate Fund).

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Introduction

This guide is intended to provide guidance and support for the conversion of land and farms to paludiculture and is primarily aimed at farmers and owners of peatland who are considering or already planning this conversion. The aim of the guide is to summarise current knowledge and present the individual steps needed for conversion clearly.

 

The guide is also aimed at other people and organisations who can play a decisive role in the roll-out of paludiculture: project developers, water and land management groups, local and regional authorities, agricultural consultants, research institutions and companies who might use paludiculture products.

 

Paludiculture, or farming on rewetted peat, is a system of agriculture for the profitable production of wetland crops under conditions that support the competitive advantage of these crops. In the context of lowland peat soils it is most usually achieved through raising the water table to achieve wetland conditions. The name was derived from the Latin "palus" (= swamp) and was deliberately chosen as an analogy to other forms of land use such as horticulture, apiculture, agriculture or silviculture. While the term “paludiculture” is a recent one, its practice in England goes back generations e.g. through reed cutting.

 

Drainage was previously the main prerequisite for agricultural utilisation of peatlands and provided a reasonably reliable or even very good source of income for farmers. However, also wet peatlands managed via paludiculture can produce biomass yields and generate income. However, the conversion and initially also the "rethinking" of farming in lowland peat landscapes still presents many farmers with a major, if not "inconceivable" challenge.

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This guide provides assistance for stakeholders who want to:

  • maintain the agricultural use of peatland after raising water levels and are looking for information on how to do this,

  • find suitable areas to carry out paludiculture,

  • convert a farm to paludiculture or develop paludiculture enterprises within their farming system

  • identify new ways of utilising paludiculture biomass,

  • improve other ecosystem services of managed peatlands (climate protection, water protection, climate adaptation, biodiversity).

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The guide does not provide specific advice on the statutory permits and permissions that might be required for the conversion of land and farms to paludiculture.​

The guide includes the following sections:

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Implementation of paludiculture is currently still very much in the pilot stage. Many farmers are aware of the significant climate impact of their peatlands, but they lack specific practical knowledge for conversion alongside specific economic prospects and commercial exploitation partners. Some pioneering farms are already implementing cultivation at high water levels and paludiculture crops are being further developed and tested in research projects. However, large-scale realisation of paludiculture systems in practice is still in its infancy.

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We therefore expect this guide to grow and develop as farmers and researchers provide new information to update it. If you spot errors or want to add material, please contact us at: paludiculture@niab.com.

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