Technologies

Adapted management of organic soils [Germany]

technologies_1697 - Germany

Completeness: 80%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Baum Sarah

Thünen Institute of Rural Studies

Germany

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Book project: Making sense of research for sustainable land management (GLUES)
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Climate Change - Land Use Strategies (CC-LandStraD / GLUES)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Thünen Institute (Thünen Institute) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Re-wetting of organic soils and following adapted management suitable for wet conditions like extensive grazing land or paludiculture.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In peat lands, formed over centuries, reducing the ground water level leads to min-eralization: this results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and leaching of dis-solved organic nutrients into adjacent water bodies. Furthermore, drainage leads to the destruction of highly specialized ecosystems. Re-wetting, by removing of drain-age systems (etc.), means the restoration of a higher ground water level which can reduce GHG emissions in the long term. Re-wetting to a water-level of 10 cm below the soil surface is ideal for reducing GHG emissions and preventing peat mineraliza-tion. One prerequisite for re-wetting is that soil degradation and peat mineralization are not too advanced. An adequate water supply must be available. Re-wetting also affects adjacent areas so possible impacts such as flooding of settlements and in-frastructure must be considered.

Purpose of the Technology: Land uses suitable for the soil conditions after re-wetting are extensive grazing, or paludiculture. Paludiculture is the cultivation of wet organic soils by preserving or renewing peat by planting and harvesting specific trees (e.g. alder), reeds and sedges. On fens, alder trees (for wood /biomass production) or plant species grown for their products (e.g. for thatch) or bioenergy, including the common reed, reed canary grass or cat’s-tail, can be cultivated. On peat bogs sphagnum farming as a peat substitute in horticulture, or as a medicinal plant, is possible. The first harvest of the common reed can take place four years post-establishment; thereafter annually. Alternatively, extensive livestock grazing with water buffalo or suitable breeds of cattle like Galloway or Heck has potential for re-wetted land. Year-round grazing is possible with a carrying capacity of up to 0.7 livestock units/ha.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Apart from avoiding huge amounts of GHG emissions and bringing land into alter-native production, further aims of re-wetting and adapting land use are:
-soil protection (soil structure, water content, peat protection);
-water protection (water quality, buffering / filtering water);
-protection of the landscape’s water regime and material balance (solute transport);
-biodiversity protection (retaining a sensitive ecosystem with specialized/ threatened species); and
-flood protection (organic soils can quickly absorb large amount of water).
There are many advantages for the environment while still creating a (modest) in-come for land users. Unlike most other bioenergy production chains (e.g. maize, rapeseed) which do not have these environmental co-benefits, paludiculture with the common reed can become a sustainable production system.

Natural / human environment: The Altmark region is located on the North German Plain. The region is predomi-nantly characterized by agriculture but has many forests too. Because of the high proportion of grassland, cattle are important. The use of biomass for bioenergy was increasing and many biogas plants were established in the last few years. Fens are mostly located in Altmark-County Salzwedel. Here, the average population density (42.7 inhabitants km2) is relatively low in the German context and the annual precipi-tation of 466mm is also below the overall German average.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Germany

Region/ State/ Province:

Germany, Saxony-Anhalt

Further specification of location:

Altmarkkreis Salzwedel and district Stendal (total area of region: 4744 km²)

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 288 km2.

Potential area: 288 km2 (~ 6% of the region). The area stated is the area that is potentially usable for the technology due to available geographical data; requirements: fen (Nieder- und Anmoor), area under agricultural land use, outside of nature protection areas (national parc, nature reserve, FFH area, SPA area, Ramsar). Due to re-wetting restrictions by factors like nowadays water level in the area, settlements etc., the effective area suitable will be lower.

Boundary points of the Technology area: 52.842906; 10.760956
52.351751; 11.858462
52.541514; 12.187856
52.870405; 12.231025
53.050502; 11.633261

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • during experiments/ research
Comments (type of project, etc.):

answer refers to re-wetting

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):
  • Agro-pastoralism (incl. integrated crop-livestock)

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 234Longest growing period from month to month: Spring-autumn

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Ranching
Animal type:
  • buffalo
  • cattle
Comments:

Main species: Water buffalo, adapted cattles (e.g. Heck cattle, Galloway)

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Drainage causes mineralization, sagging and reduction of organic matter of organic soils as well as high GHG emissions, disturbed water regimes, destruction of valuable ecosystems and loss of ecosystem services.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Long term use of drained organic soils leads to soil degradation and lower productivity. Thus, more fertilizer is needed. Due to sagging of organic soils, ditches and drainages need to be renewed every 10-15 years.

Ranching: Water buffalo, adapted cattles (e.g. Heck cattle, Galloway)

Grazingland comments: extensive grassland use with mowing and/or grazing; or paludiculture (e.g. Common Reed)

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Grazing land: Ge: Extensive grazing land

Type of grazing system comments: extensive grassland use with mowing and/or grazing; or paludiculture (e.g. Common Reed)

Livestock density: 50-100 LU /km2

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
  • Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)
Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping

3.4 Water supply

Comments:

Water supply: rainfed, rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • wetland protection/ management
  • Re-wetting of organic soils

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
  • V5: Others
structural measures

structural measures

  • S11: Others
management measures

management measures

  • M1: Change of land use type
  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
  • M3: Layout according to natural and human environment
Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, structural measures, management measures

Specification of other vegetative measures: paludiculture

Specification of other structural measures: removal of drainage system, dykes, etc. allowing rise in groundwater level

Type of vegetative measures: in blocks

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pc: compaction
  • Ps: subsidence of organic soils, settling of soil
  • Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bh: loss of habitats
  • Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
  • Hg: change in groundwater/aquifer level
  • Hq: decline of groundwater quality
  • Hw: reduction of the buffering capacity of wetland areas
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Pc: compaction, Ps: subsidence of organic soils, settling of soil, Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Bh: loss of habitats, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline, Ha: aridification, Hg: change in groundwater / aquifer level, Hq: decline of groundwater quality, Hw: reduction of the buffering capacity of wetland areas

Main causes of degradation: soil management (drainage), disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff) (drainage)

Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (ploughing, fertilization)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Re-wetting of a fen with adapted agricultural land use afterwards: extensive grazing with cattle and paludiculture in Common Reed production.

Date: 07/2015

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Technical knowledge required for planners: high (Re-wetting concerns large areas)

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase / maintain water stored in soil, increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water

In blocks
Vegetative material: G : grass, O : other
Number of plants per (ha): G: full coverage, O: 5000
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): O: 2m
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): O: 1m

Grass species: Grasses for extensive grassland use

Other species: Paludicultures like Common reed, Reed Canary grass

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): ~0%

Gradient along the rows / strips: ~0%

Structural measure: close/chamber ditches for groundwater level rise

Change of land use type: Crop land or intensive grassland to extensive grassland or paludiculture: see 2.5.2.2

Change of land use practices / intensity level: extensification

Layout change according to natural and human environment: Closed and chambered ditches/removed drainage systems: see 2.5.3.2

Author:

Sarah Baum, Thünen Institute of Rural Studies, Bundesallee 50, D-38116, Braunschweig, Germany

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. For fen re-wetting, removal or blocking of drainage systems like ditches, pumping stations, dykes or drainages is necessary. Extent depends strongly on local site conditions! (examples chosen from Landesumweltamt Brandenburg (2004)).
2. Extensive grassland or paludiculture
3. Extensive grassland: if field is not already used as grassland but as cropland: grassland sowing July/August
4. Extensive grassland: natural spread: no input
5. Paludiculture: planting Common Reed Spring

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour ha 1.0 300.0 300.0 100.0
Equipment Machine use ha 1.0 400.0 400.0 100.0
Plant material Seedling ha 1.0 2500.0 2500.0 100.0
Other Removal of drainage ha 1.0 200.0 200.0 100.0
Other Ditch filling ha 1.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Other Make-ready and set-up cost ha 1.0 2500.0 2500.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 6000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 6000.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. water level management: weir control ~once a week: efforts depends strongly on local conditions. Control is also necessary when weirs are used to ensure controlled water level.
2. extensive grassland: mowing 2 times per year
3. extensive grassland: grazing with water buffalo, adapted cattles (e.g. Heck cattle, Galloway) year round
4. paludiculture (Common Reed): harvesting Winter (ideally: frozen ground)/first harvest 4 years after establishment, thereafter annually
5. management yearly

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour ha 1.0 250.0 250.0 100.0
Equipment Machine use ha 1.0 600.0 600.0 100.0
Other Management ha 1.0 150.0 150.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 1000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 1000.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: paludiculture: harvest in winter (frozen soil): normal machinery. If soil is not frozen: special machinery: snow groomer (crawler chain) modified as harvester

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Only rough estimates on costs and income can be given due to the very new and innovative technology. The technology is still in the introductory phase at present

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Annual rainfall: 500-750 mm, 750-1000 mm, 1000-1500 mm, 1500-2000 mm
250-500mm: This only characterises the Altmark region (average 460mm); more rainfall is possible!

Agro-climatic zone
  • humid
  • sub-humid

Thermal climate class: temperate. Altmark region

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 0-100 m a.s.l. (this only characterises the Altmark region), 500-1000 m a.s.l., 1000-1500 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • high (>3%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil depth on average: shallow (21-50 cm) (refers to histic layer), moderately deep (51-80 cm), deep (81-120 cm), very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil fertility is very low-low
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is very high

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

on surface

Availability of surface water:

excess

Water quality (untreated):

for agricultural use only (irrigation)

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Seasonal fluctuations (surface water): Wet conditions throughout the year.

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Not high in number but in quality! Highly specified species. Depends on definition of Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • commercial/ market
Individuals or groups:
  • groups/ community
Level of mechanization:
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: negative
Market orientation of production system: nature conservation
Market orientation of cropland production system: Comercial/market (cows for dairy farming and reed sold for bioenergy and thatching)
Market orientation of grazing land production system: Comercial/market (Grazing, mowing; paludiculture )

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • state
  • communal/ village
  • NGO
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • individual
Comments:

Land owners can re-wet their land and manage it suitable for wet conditions afterwards. The state or NGO, for example, can buy land and re-wet it; normally followed by nature protection. This technology can not be done by one land user. It has major impacts off-sites and reflects normally more then one farmer.

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

animal production

decreased
increased

risk of production failure

increased
decreased

production area

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified
Water availability and quality

demand for irrigation water

increased
decreased
Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Thorugh extensification

farm income

decreased
increased

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

possibly

economic disparities

increased
decreased

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Thorugh extensification

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased

water quality

decreased
increased

surface runoff

increased
decreased

groundwater table/ aquifer

lowered
recharge
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

In terms of former cropland

soil loss

increased
decreased

soil compaction

increased
reduced

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Extensive usage

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

plant diversity

decreased
increased

animal diversity

decreased
increased

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

15-30

Quantity after SLM:

0.8

Comments/ specify:

Before conserv.: Ca. 15-30 tCO2eq/ha*a quantify (indicate unit) after conserv.: 0-8 tCO2equ/ha*a specify: mean reduction potential peat bogs: 15tCO2equ/ha*a; fens: 30tCO2equ/ha*a

Other ecological impacts

Value for nature conservation/relevant species

reduced
improved

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased
Comments/ specify:

Perhaps

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

buffering/ filtering capacity

reduced
improved

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Re-wetting is only possible on larger scales

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm well
local windstorm not known
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought not well
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very negative

Long-term returns:

negative

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very negative

Long-term returns:

negative

Comments:

Depends strongly on subsidies and other incentive mechanisms as well as opportunity costs (regionally different). Further, if re-wetting is not financed by the land user the economic benefit is greater but even less as before re-wetting.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 0-10%
Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: There is no increasing trend to adopt the technology as it is not economically attractive for farmer. But for environment groups (NGOs), without an economical interest, this measure can be interesting.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
By re-wetting organic soil huge amounts of GHG emissions can be avoided on a relatively small area

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Financial incentives for farmers are needed e.g. based on GHG-mitigation potential. Alternatively, areas can be bought by e.g. NGOs or government for re-wetting/ nature protection
Paludiculture on re-wetted soils allows an adapted agricultural land use

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Financial incentives (e.g. subside payments) for farmers are needed
Extensive grassland cultivation on re-wetted soils allows an adapted agricultural land use (grazing/mowing)

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Financial incentives (e.g. subside payments) for farmers are needed
The use of fertilizer and manure inputs leads to pollution of water bodies. The water quality will be enhanced by less fertilizer/manure input through this technology compared to intensive agriculture.
Due to the technology, higher water retention, flood prevention and biodiversity can increase compared to use of drained organic soils.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
On re-wetted soil land use options are very restricted due to wet soil conditions. Financial incentives for farmers are needed.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
High opportunity cost for land users: income from intensive cropland on drained soils is higher than income from re-wetted soils with extensive land use. The technology could be economically attractive if farmers get financial incentives for applying it (re-wetting and adapted extensive usage). It would become even more attractive if no incentives were paid for e.g. maize production on drained organic soils (those incentives are actually paid if the maize is used for bioenergy production).

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Bonn A, et al. (2014) Klimaschutz durch Wiedervernässung von kohlenstoffreichen Böden. In: Naturkapital und Klimapolitik-Synergien und Konflikte.

Available from where? Costs?

Naturkapital Deutschland TEEB DE Report. Technische Universität Berlin Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung-UFZ, Berlin, Leipzig

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Wichtmann W, Wichmann S (2011) Environmental, Social and Economic Aspects of a Sustainable Biomass Production.

Available from where? Costs?

Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment, Special Issue (2011):77-81

7.3 Links to relevant online information

URL:

http://www.duene-greifswald.de/de/projekte.php_enim.php

URL:

http://www.naturkapital-teeb.de/publikationen/projekteigene-publikationen.html

URL:

http://daten.ktbl.de/feldarbeit/home.html

URL:

https://www.stmelf.bayern.de/idb/default.html

URL:

ttps://www.google.de/search?q=Leitfaden+zur+Renaturierung+von+Feuchtgebieten+in+Brandenburg.+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=btyoVebdJcGYsAH4tpWoCA

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