Aim of the peatland-restoration is to restore natural habitats with positive effects on flora and fauna and on CO2 saving. For implementing the different measures, development concepts are issued and mapping work is done. The focus is on 23 peatlands, from the Allgäu Region in the west to Traunstein in the east of the Bavarian Alps. Some of the areas were bought, others leased. All measures are coordinated by Bund Naturschutz (BN) in Bavaria and implemented mainly by volunteers.
Objectives:
Aim of the peatland-restoration is to restore natural habitats with positive effects on flora and fauna and on CO2 saving. For implementing the different measures, development concepts are issued and mapping work is done. The focus is on 23 peatlands, from the Allgäu Region in the west to Traunstein in the east of the Bavarian Alps. Some of the areas were bought, others leased. All measures are coordinated by Bund Naturschutz (BN) in Bavaria and implemented mainly by volunteers.
Activities:
Wrong ways of use have been removed in these peatland-areas. By re-waterlogging measures growing of peat has been reactivated on 120 ha. This was reached by bottling measures like taking out bushes and young trees and by filling in existing ditches. In addition special cultivation work is done on around 200 ha. For implementing these activities different actors and groups are networked. There is a positive effect on the regional added value, e.g. by including the local farmers in the work. The success of all the measures is communicated via public relation work (newspapers, brochures, website, …), excursions, presentations and environmental education offers. Especially important are awareness-raising activities for kids and youths. There are also positive influences on the region`s image as a destination for sustainable holidays. A further issue is the exchange of knowledge with experts and the transfer of experiences to and from other peatland-areas.
Results:
Re-waterlogging activities dam water and the water level is increasing. Open water areas rise and the growing of peatland is reactivated. Peat creating plants, primary
stages of peatland and typical peatland flora and fauna is appearing. Furthermore have the CO2 saving qualities of these re-waterlogged peatland areas been reactivated and enhanced. In sectors with typical peatland vegetation more greenhouse gases get saved today. A better dewatering in these areas is viewable as well. Additionally to the positive effects on biodiversity intact peatlands have a great influence on the mass balance because of their filter qualities. The nutritional supplement in these areas gets less, nitrate, sulphate, sulphide in the groundwater are absorbed. Peatlands have furthermore positive effects on the small-scale climate. The renaturation measures have strengthened the unique landscape in the Alpine foothills, also with positive influences on the quality of life for domestic people and tourists.
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