Paludiculture Newsletter 2|2025

On 3 July 2025, Federal Minister Carsten Schneider of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) invited and joined by  Dr. Till Backhaus (Minister for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas and the Environment of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) visited the Greifswald Mire Centre during his first official inaugural trip through Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The message was clear: peatlands must remain at the top of the agenda in today's environmental policy.

Franziska Tanneberger, winner of the German Environmental Award 2024, and colleagues demonstrated at various places in and around Greifswald how research can contribute to knowledge about peatlands as a basis for political decisions, how business models can be developed from sustainable peatland use and be scaled up. At the Karrendorfer Wiesen, both environmental ministers could observe  field research of the DFG-funded WETSCAPES project of the University of Greifswald on the ground and also the peatland protection measures of the Succow Foundation, which owns the nature conservation areas there. In Greifswald, the GMC's peatland experts presented the mesocosm facility, which monitors plant growth in 108 mini peatlands, to clone collections of 200 reed and 500 peat moss clones, as well as to the peatland library with more than 50,000 publications. In Addition they showed the database on peatlands worldwide and at the Succow Foundation first paludiculture products from an alliance of several companies. This all made clear:
The Greifswald Mire Centre‘s work has not only raised public awareness over the last 10 years, but has also attracted the interest of large business groups. Germany thus has the opportunity to expand its pioneering role in climate protection through rewetting and paludiculture. Environmental Minister Schneider was impressed: "The University of Greifswald's peatland research is a unique selling point!“ To preserve and expand this in the long term in a non-university research institution is supported by.Minister Dr Till Backhaus.

In view of the current war between Russia and Ukraine, this new information paper  (2025_GMC_Infopapier_Moore+Verteidigung_final_EN.pdf) from the Greifswald Mire Centre in cooperation with aeco GmbH advocates the rewetting of peatlands, particularly in border regions, as a measure for Europe's security and defence capability. The paper recommends establishing an EU fund of €250-500 million to finance the rewetting of 100,000 ha as a measure within the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF).

The paper sees further advantages: Rewetting would fulfill a component of the EU Nature Restoration Law. Issuing emission certificates for rewetting peatlands would arouse the economy’s interest and get it involved. Simultaneously, ecological benefits such as the protection of biodiversity or water filtration and retention can be achieved.

In 1500, farmers of Dithmarsch defeated the Danish army in the ‘Hemmingstedter Moor’.  Napoleon's armies were literally bogged down in the peatlands of Russia. Peatlands and defence are not a new topic, as these examples show. For the authors of the information paper, however, it is particularly urgent now to rethink defence and to bring rewetting also for military purposes into current political discussions.

Notably, the media has started to spotlight this topic, such as Yale Environment 360's article (How Restored Wetlands Can Protect Europe from Russian Invasion - Yale e360) or the Dutch radio programme Vroege Vogels (Vroege Vogels Radio | 1 juni 2025 - Vroege Vogels - BNNVARA).

Students of the master’s programme “Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation” at the University of Greifswald made remarkable botanical discoveries during a field training focused on peatland research. They rediscovered Hartman’s Sedge (Carex hartmaniorum), which had been considered extinct in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since 1968, in the Ladebower Moor — the last known location of this species in the region.

The find was unexpected: while conducting a vegetation survey on a meadow, the students closely examined a 4 m² plot. This thorough analysis led to the discovery of Hartman’s Sedge, which likely would have been overlooked during a more superficial inspection of the area. To verify their findings, the students consulted several botanical experts, who confirmed the identification.

Hartman’s Sedge is a perennial plant that reaches heights of 30 to 70 cm and has slender, gray to dark green leaves. Its flowering period spans from May to June, with male and female flowers differing in appearance. The species is typically found in habitats with alternating wet and waterlogged conditions, which are used extensively. It forms loose turfs in nutrient-poor wet meadows and fens. Unfortunately, many of its natural habitats are severely threatened by drainage and intensive land use..

To preserve the stock and prevent nutrient build-up it is necessary to mowe late and remove cut material. Revitalizing fallow meadows can also benefit the species by reducing competition from shrubs and other aggressive plant species.

The rediscovered site in the peatland of Ladebow in Greifswald has been professionally managed for several years using a single annual mowing regime, demonstrating that appropriate water management and land use practices are crucial for the conservation of rare plant species. By integrating agricultural use with peatland and nature conservation, valuable plant communities can be preserved and even restored.
The rediscovery of Hartman’s Sedge highlights the importance of research and sustainable land management in conservation practice and offers hope for future success in the rediscovery and preservation of endangered plant species.

Look forward to an exciting week with two keynotes, 82 presentations, 66 posters, 14 workshops, six excursions, and inspiring and surprising evening events.
Numerous workshops will also take place during the conference to provide more space for exchange, discussion, collaboration, and training. Register now via our registration platform, which will remain open until 15 August 2025. As the number of participants is limited, we recommend registering promptly. We will continue to keep you updated on the RRR2025 website.