Potential crops for paludiculture in temperate, boreal and tropical climates – Susanne Abel

Summary

This presentation explores the concept of paludiculture, or wet peatland cultivation, as a sustainable solution for managing peatlands and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By utilizing wetland plants such as common reed, cattail, alder, and peat moss, paludiculture offers a variety of benefits, including biomass production, habitat restoration, and bioenergy. The approach maintains peat formation and provides raw materials without competing with food production. Through research and the development of databases like D-PPP, paludiculture could transform wetland management, offering diverse applications in energy, construction, and food production.

Takeaways

• 😀 Peluda culture refers to wetland agriculture in peatlands, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by rewetting and restoring peatlands.
• 😀 This method preserves peat bodies and offers an alternative to traditional drainage-based land use in peatlands.
• 😀 Peluda culture produces renewable biomass without competing with food production, supporting ecosystem services and restoring habitats.
• 😀 Common reed (*Phragmites australis*) is one of the most promising plants for peluda culture, offering various applications including biomass for energy and construction materials.
• 😀 Cattail (*Typha spp.*) is another important plant, known for its high productivity and use in nutrient reclamation and biomass for direct combustion.
• 😀 Alder (*Alnus glutinosa*) is a highly productive tree species adapted to waterlogged conditions, suitable for bioenergy and timber production.
• 😀 Peat moss (*Sphagnum spp.*) can be cultivated on degraded bogs as a sustainable alternative to peat in horticulture.
• 😀 Peluda culture plants provide diverse utilization options, including biofuels, raw materials like insulation and thatching, timber, and woven products.
• 😀 Some peluda culture plants also have food and medicinal applications, such as wild rice, cranberries, and certain tropical species.
• 😀 A database called DTripleP tracks useful wetland plants for peluda culture, supporting research and expansion into various regions and climates.

Q & A

What is the main issue caused by drainage in peatlands?

Drainage in peatlands leads to high greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental problems.

How can rewetting and restoration of peatlands help mitigate emissions?

Rewetting and restoration of peatlands can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by re-establishing the natural conditions of the peatland ecosystem.

What is peluda culture and how does it differ from traditional agriculture?

Peluda culture is the practice of cultivating wetland plants in waterlogged peatlands. Unlike traditional agriculture, it does not compete with food production and preserves the peat body.

What are the environmental benefits of peluda culture?

Peluda culture helps preserve the peat body, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, produces renewable biomass without competing with food crops, and restores ecosystems and habitats for wildlife.

Why is reed (Phragmites australis) considered a promising plant for peluda culture?

Reed is highly productive on peatlands, can be used in construction materials and paper production, and has an established utilization chain, making it an ideal candidate for peluda culture.

How is cattail biomass utilized in peluda culture?

Cattail biomass can be used for direct combustion, nutrient discharge, and reclamation, especially for phosphorus, as well as for construction and insulation materials due to its specialized tissue.

What makes alder (Alnus glutinosa) a suitable species for wetland agriculture?

Alder thrives in waterlogged conditions, produces high-quality timber, and is a good candidate for short-rotation coppice systems. It also contributes to peat formation, making it a valuable species in peluda culture.

How can peat moss (Sphagnum species) be utilized in peluda culture?

Peat moss can be cultivated as a substitute for traditional peat in horticulture, due to its similar physical and chemical properties, and is a viable option for after-use on degraded bogs or post-peat extraction sites.

What is the DTripleP database, and what is its purpose?

The DTripleP database collects information on useful wetland plants to identify potential peluda crops suited for different climates and habitats, helping researchers and practitioners in the field.

What challenges exist in implementing peluda culture on a large scale?

Peluda culture is not yet widely implemented, and its adoption requires significant effort, innovation, and courage to integrate it into common practice, alongside the development of proper infrastructure and utilization chains.