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

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Land Use Based Mitigation for Resilient Climate Pathways (LANDMARC)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

JIN Climate and Sustainability (JIN) - Netherlands

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

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Peatland rewetting is a climate change mitigation technology that involves raising and maintaining high water tables in agricultural peatland through controlled drainage. It reduces soil subsidence and CO2 emissions while preserving biodiversity. This technology offers environmental benefits but faces challenges in policy support and economic viability.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Peatland rewetting is increasingly being applied in the Netherlands, particularly in the province of Zuid Holland, as a critical environmental management strategy. This technology is implemented in agricultural fields on peatland soil, representing an important shift in land management practices. The method can be characterised by raising and maintaining a high water table in peatland areas through the implementation and careful control of a sophisticated drainage system.
The system's technical infrastructure includes an integrated network of pipes, pumps (including innovative solar-powered options), and strategically placed ditches to control the water level. Advanced monitoring equipment is installed to track water table levels with precision, ensuring optimal management of the wetland conditions. The primary purpose of peatland rewetting is to mitigate climate change by reducing soil subsidence and consequent CO2 emissions from drained peatlands, which globally contribute around 2 Gt of CO2 annually.
Implementation requires several key components and activities. The initial phase involves comprehensive site assessment and installation of the drainage system, including careful placement of monitoring equipment and, where applicable, solar panels for sustainable pump operation. Ongoing maintenance activities are crucial and involve regular system monitoring, component repairs, and water level adjustments to maintain optimal conditions between -10 and +20 cm, as demonstrated in projects like the Swinkels case study.
The benefits and impacts of peatland rewetting are multifaceted. Primary environmental benefits include significant reduction in CO2 emissions by preventing peat oxidation, preservation of valuable peatland habitats and biodiversity, and improved regional water management. The practice also helps avoid substantial costs associated with soil subsidence, such as infrastructure repairs and dam reinforcement that would otherwise be necessary in degraded peatland areas.
From the land user's (farmer's) perspective, the transition to peatland rewetting presents both opportunities and challenges. The main benefits include access to potential subsidies, avoided costs due to soil subsidence, and the opportunity to participate in innovative agricultural practices like paludiculture - the cultivation of wet-tolerant crops such as cattail, which can be used for various applications including fodder. However, farmers may face challenges including significant initial investment costs, the necessity to adapt to new farming techniques and business models, and potential yield impacts during the transition period as they navigate the learning curve of wet agriculture.
Some environmental considerations require careful management. While peatland rewetting generally provides positive environmental outcomes, there can be challenges with nutrient leaching affecting water quality, which necessitates careful monitoring and management strategies. Additionally, stakeholders express concerns about the lack of consistent long-term subsidies and policy support for maintaining these practices, highlighting the need for more robust institutional frameworks to support sustainable peatland management.
Scientific monitoring of these sites, as demonstrated in the LANDMARC project, includes sophisticated tools such as soil sampling for physical and chemical analysis, molecular microbial identification, greenhouse gas measurements, and the use of satellite data and field mapping to track progress and impact. This comprehensive monitoring approach helps ensure the effectiveness of rewetting initiatives and provides valuable data for scaling up these solutions to national and continental levels.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2022

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

• regional collaboration

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Key partners of peatland rewetting in this region include farmers, research institutes, local water authorities, and nature organizations

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change and its impacts

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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

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

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

There will be pressurized draining systems installed, suggesting water management beyond reliance on rainfall.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water diversion and drainage
• wetland protection/ management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Drainage systems are a significant structural intervention to the landscape. The hydrology of the area is modified through engineered solutions. This technology allows for control of groundwater levels independently from ditch water levels.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The most significant issues being addressed by peatland rewetting is Ps: subsidence of organic soils, setting of soil.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

The primary goal of peatland rewetting is to reduce land degradation. By implementing pressurized drainage systems, the technology seeks to slow down the rate of peat decomposition and subsequent soil subsidence.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

EUR

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	selection of test plots	Winter/Spring
2.	creating drainage plans	Winter/Spring
3.	obtaining permits	Winter/Spring
4.	installing drainage systems	Summer
5.	installing monitoring equipment	Summer
6.	damming ditches	Late Summer/Early Fall
7.	installing pumps	Summer
8.	setting up reference plots for comparison	Full Year
9.	conducting baseline measurements	Full Year

Comments:

No clear data available on specific timing, however estimations are made based on the technical requirements and the climate of the Netherlands.

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	installation
Labour	maintenance
Equipment	drainage and collection pipes
Equipment	pumps and solar panels
Equipment	control wells
Equipment	monitoring equipment (soil moisture sensors, etc.)

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

579000.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

There is local and national government involvement in sharing the costs. Farmers also contribute 25% of the installation costs and provide in-kind contributions through their time.

Comments:

The total cost of establishment and ongoing costs for the whole area of 8.4 hectares are estimated to be EUR 570000 including VAT. The breakdown is:
a. Monitoring/ analysis 44%
b. Education 2%
c. Communication 7%
d. Reporting 8%
e. Management 11%
f. Materials/ apparatus 16%
g. Drainage system including ditches 9%

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	ongoing monitoring of soil moisture, groundwater levels, and soil movement
2.	Management of water levels using the pumping system
3.	Maintenance of drainage pipes and pumps
4.	Data collection and analysis
5.	Ecological monitoring (biodiversity, wading birds)
6.	Grass yield measurements
7.	Soil temperature monitoring
8.	Water quality testing
9.	Reporting and communication activities

Comments:

See comment under 4.4

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	Systems operation and monitoring
Labour	Maintenance and potential replacement of equipment
Labour	Data analysis and reporting costs
Labour	ecological survey costs
Other	Energy costs for pumps (some are solar)

Comments:

See comment under 4.4 and note that Euros 579000 (including VAT) is an estimate of both establishment AND ongoing costs

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important factors affecting the costs are the installation of the drainage systems, monitoring equipment and activities, scale of implementation, types of drainage pipes, solar-powered pumping systems, project management and research activities, adaptation of surrounding water management, duration of the project, labor costs, and location-specific factors (such as the soil profile of the area of implementation).

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The Netherlands is flat, although the technology is applied to an area with a 1 to 3 ditches.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Although these areas support some important biodiversity values, their primary current use is agricultural.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

I do not have specific information available on off-farm income or the gender of the land-users, although it is well-known that 60% of Dutch farm land is family-owned.

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

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

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

The implementation of peatland rewetting through raised water levels and submerged drains has shown significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, with measurements indicating a decrease from 19-50 t CO2 per hectare annually to approximately half those levels. While this water management approach impacts dairy farming viability, the use of innovative drainage systems has demonstrated that agricultural production can be maintained. Monitoring data shows reduced soil subsidence rates, from an average of 8 mm/year to lower rates, while also indicating potential improvements in habitat conditions for meadow birds and wetland biodiversity.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

The project includes monitoring of water quality and ecology in surrounding ditches. Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to greatly decrease.

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 known
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	not known
annual rainfall		decrease	not known

Comments:

The prediction is more for extreme weather patterns than a decrease of rainfall overall. The technology's effectiveness may be challenged by these changes, as maintaining optimal water levels becomes more difficult as rainfall decreases. Therefore there may be an impact on this technology during extended dry periods.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

The short-term returns on peatland rewetting are negative due to their (sometimes significantly) high establishment costs. The establishment costs, however, are the highest cost associated with this technology and the long-term returns and benefits are what make the high upfront costs attractive for land-users.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

In this case, it was a collaborative effort

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Provides better control over water levels, helping to manage both drought and excess water situations
Potential to maintain or improve grass yields while addressing environmental concerns
Opportunity to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and soil subsidence

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Offers a solution to reduce peat soil subsidence and associated greenhouse gas emissions
Improves water management and quality in the area, potentially benefiting biodiversity.
Provides a model for sustainable dairy farming on peatlands, balancing economic and environmental needs.

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?
High initial investment costs	Provide more substantial subsidies or financial support for implementation
Uncertainty about long-term economic benefits	Conduct longer-term studies to demonstrate economic viability; develop compensation schemes for ecosystem services
Requires changes in farming practices	Provide training and support for adapting to new management techniques

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Inconsistent policy support across different water boards	Develop a united, long-term policy framework for peatland management
Potential for increased nutrient leaching	Implement additional measures to mitigate nutrient runoff; continue monitoring water quality
Limited data on long-term effectiveness	Continue monitoring and research to build a comprehensive understanding of long-term impacts

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Scientific assessment and policy analysis: peatlands and carbon flows: outlook and importance for the netherlands,A. Verhagen J.J.H. van den Akker C. Blok W.H. Diemont J.H.J. Joosten M.A. Schouten R.A.M. Schrijver R.M. den Uyl P.A. Verweij J.H.M Wösten, 2009, WAB 500102 027

Available from where? Costs?

Available for free from the WAB (Dutch Scientific Assessment and Policy Analysis on Climate Change)