Alternative peat utilisation

Bogs fulfil a number of important and unique functions in nature and, provided they are intact, make a significant contribution to climate protection. In Brandenburg, as in other peatland-rich federal states, these functions are severely restricted by 200 years of drainage, urban sprawl and traditional agricultural and forestry uses. At the same time, political programmes at regional, national, European and international level aim to restore the moors as a reservoir of moisture, a sink for climate-damaging gases and a habitat for biodiversity - by rewetting and converting the moors. In view of drought, soil degradation and species loss, farmers and foresters are also increasingly recognising the need to use moorland differently, but at the same time are dependent on the income from these areas.

Students at Viadrina have researched how the challenge of moorland rewetting and alternative moorland use in Brandenburg could be mastered and accompanied a solar moor project of the Löpten-Briesen agricultural cooperative. The results of this research and tips for implementing peatland rewetting and peatland utilisation in Brandenburg will soon be available here.