MOOSland
MOOSland - demonstrated, discussed, implemented: the path to large-scale implementation of peat moss paludiculture as a sustainable agricultural use of raised bog soils
Project data
Knowledge transfer and public relations (AP 6): M. Sc. Pia Müller & Celestina Maria Machado da Costa (since 01.01.2024) & Joana Kakarli (since 01.04.2025):
- Responsible for public relations and knowledge transfer,
- Planning and implementation of workshops and conferences,
- Planning and implementation of field days and guided tours of the experimental plots
- Creation of the peat moss classroom in the EFMK and exhibition modules on paludiculture
- Development of a handbook on peat moss paludiculture,
- Further training of area-relevant actors,
- Networking
The two employees in work package 5 "Stakeholder management and transformation process" will start their work in MOOSland on 01.04.2024.
MOOSland is a model and demonstration project focused on the large-scale cultivation of peat moss on rewetted, degraded raised bogs. Peat moss offers a renewable raw material alternative to traditional peat—commonly used in horticulture—bringing significant benefits for both climate protection and the economy.
In natural raised bogs, peat moss thrives under nutrient-poor, water-saturated conditions. However, many of these bogs have been drained and converted into grasslands, which leads to harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Rewetting these peatlands is essential to stop this process. Peat moss is uniquely suited for this purpose, as it can store up to 30 times its own weight in water. Moreover, peat moss biomass possesses physical properties similar to the peat it forms, making it an ideal, sustainable substitute for peat in horticultural substrates. Cultivating peat moss on rewetted peatlands—known as paludiculture—not only supports environmental restoration but also creates economic opportunities.
The MOOSland project is currently optimizing two pilot sites in the districts of Ammerland and Diepholz in Lower Saxony and expanding cultivation by an additional seven hectares. Working closely with stakeholders, the project aims to identify barriers and develop solutions for scaling up beyond the pilot areas. To share our findings and promote wider adoption, we place strong emphasis on knowledge transfer. Alongside informational materials, we are developing curriculum content and a traveling exhibition. Field days on our test sites bring peat moss paludiculture to life and provide hands-on learning experiences.
If you’re interested in learning more or participating, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) as part of the "Renewable Resources Funding Program" and supported by the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR)
Image Description
The graphic titled "Peatlands with Paludiculture" presents a 3D cross-section illustrating paludiculture, set against a light background. The cross-section itself is rendered in cool, natural tones, surrounded by yellow icons and brief key points providing additional information. Paludiculture—the climate-friendly agriculture practiced on wet peat soils—is shown on the surface as a swaying cluster of green plants. A large white agricultural machine is depicted mowing some of the central plants.
Surrounding the cross-section are depictions of three main plant species cultivated in paludiculture:
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Reed (right side): A tall, sweet grass with hollow, sturdy stems over one meter high. Its narrow, gray-green to blue-green leaves can grow up to 60 cm, topped by reddish-brown, silky-haired flower panicles about 45 cm long. Reeds have diverse uses, symbolized by yellow icons, including insulation, building material, paper substitute, biogas energy, biodiesel fuel, and heating. The graphic also features a female reed bunting—an inhabitant of reed beds—identified by its light head, white whisker markings, light belly, and brown-beige striped upper body.
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Cattail (left side): Characterized by upright, linear leaves growing in two strict rows on a hairless stalk, cattails can reach up to four meters tall. Their distinctive brown, cob-shaped inflorescences sit between the leaves, shorter than the leaf tips. Colored blue-green with the signature brown cob, cattails are similarly versatile. Icons indicate uses such as insulation, paper and cardboard substitutes, biogas energy for electricity, heating, and vehicle fuel, as well as animal feed (e.g., for pigs).
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Peat Moss (bottom left): Shown with greenish to brownish hues, peat moss features stems with tufted, side-branch structures and small heads measuring 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. Its primary use, highlighted with an icon, is as a substrate material alternative to peat.
The wet substrate beneath the plants is depicted in shades of blue, brown, and black. A large carbon symbol (C) highlights the carbon stored in the soil, accompanied by the note: "Peat remains in the soil and can also be newly formed."
Below the cross-section are three informational points:
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Soil carbon remains bound in the peatland.
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A specialized machine allows harvesting on wet soils.
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Paludiculture helps preserve or create habitats for endangered species.
At the bottom right, a bar chart illustrates the gap between current and target peatland rewetting for climate goals. The small bar represents the current annual rewetted area (~2,000 hectares), while the large bar represents the target (~50,000 hectares per year) needed to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions in Germany by 2050. An upward arrow indicates progress toward this target.
The graphic includes the Greifswald Mire Center logo and website, and was illustrated by Sarah Heuzeroth: www.sarah-heuzeroth.de