Public evening lecture by Professor Dr Jürgen Kreyling (University of Greifswald, Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology)

The drainage of temperate peatlands has caused a range of problems, such as greenhouse gas emissions, eutrophication and subsidence resulting from peat mineralisation, as well as the loss of highly specialised biodiversity. Based on data from the Greifswald Mire Centre, I will explore the potential of paludiculture – that is, the wet use of peatlands – in tackling the multiple challenges mentioned above. Rewetting effectively curbs carbon losses, but rewetted fens are richer in nutrients and differ in vegetation composition compared to natural fens. Harvesting above-ground plant biomass can effectively reduce competition between plant species and also lower nutrient loads, whilst below-ground production—which leads to peat formation and potential carbon storage—is actually enhanced by high nutrient loads. Paludiculture has the potential to support conservation objectives across multiple taxa, such as plants, arthropods and birds. Drought events are occurring with increasing intensity and frequency due to climate change. However, high rates of decomposition under these circumstances are offset by increased root production resulting from an extended belowground growing season. I conclude that paludiculture is a viable management option for rewetted fens that can help tackle multiple environmental challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, eutrophication and biodiversity loss.

Moderator: Dr Hasmik Hunanyan