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Product chains from biomass from rewetted fen peatlands in Lower Saxony
Project
Project code: TI-AK-08-PID2306
Contract period: 01.09.2019
- 31.12.2022
Purpose of research: Applied research
How can we optimize greenhouse gas mitigation, nutrient retention and biomass yield in fen paludicultures?
The majority of the peatlands in Germany is drained for agriculture and forestry and thus responsible for a large share of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculturally used land. One option to reduce emissions is “paludiculture”, i.e. agriculture or forestry on rewetted peatlands. Ideally, re-wetting of currently drained peatlands with subsequent paludicultural use conserves the peat, but data on paludicultures at fen peatlands is still extremely scarce. Species providing biomass which can be used as raw material for building material are especially promising for fen paludicultures. In this project, we investigate Phragmites australis (common reed), Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail) and Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail). Reed is traditionally used for roofing and is already traded within existing markets. Narrowleaf cattail may be used for building and insulation boards. Cattail boards have a favourable specific thermal conductivity, good static properties and do not require biocidal additives. Broadleaf cattail can be used as blow-in insulation material and for a fibre enforcement of wall plastering. Although it can be assumed that fen paludiculture is a climate-friendly land use alternative, there is – contrast to bog paludicultures (Sphagnum farming) – surprisingly nearly no field data on the GHG exchange. By raising the water levels to the ground surface, the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be reduced. Ideally, the site will be a sink for both carbon and nitrogen. However, the emissions of methane (CH4) from rewetted or even flooded sites – as ideal for narrowleaf cattail – are much harder to predict. High CH4 emissions can be driven by the aerenchymous tissue of most wetland species. In addition, topsoils disturbed by previous drainage or freshly formed sediments are important sources of CH4 emissions and also reason for the release of phosphorus. Topsoil removal for surface gradation and dam construction may reduce nutrient levels and release as well as CH4 emissions. However, the growth of cattail might be reduced because of this nutrient removal. In addition, the effect of biomass harvest is still unclear: on the one hand, harvest might reduce the formation of fresh sediments, on the other hand harvest losses might provide fresh biomass easily available for methanogenesis. Thus, the optimisation of biomass yield and the minimisation of CH4 emissions and nutrient release is still a complex issue.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Horticulture
- Vegetable Gardening
- Climate Change
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Participating institutions
- Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants – Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
- Leibniz University of Hannover
- University of Trier
- Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences
- 3N - Competence Center Renewable Resources, 3N Services GmbH
- Jade University of Applied Sciences Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsfleth (Jade-HS)
- Floragard Vertriebs-GmbH