Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Sustainable Wetland Farming in Donaumoos – choice of crops and how to establish them (Network: Germany | ARGE Donaumoos)

MIXED collaborates with a network of farmers in Germany who are working with wetland farming (also called paludiculture) in Donaumoos. This innovative approach offers a mixed farming system (rewetting with agriculture) with a multitude of benefits, both in terms of climate protection, resource utilization and conservations of wetlands and peatlands as ecosystems. It represents a crucial strategy in the fight against climate change and the conservation of these invaluable ecosystems.
The experience from Donaumoos underlines that unlike conventional agriculture, where crops like wheat or corn can be planted and harvested within a single growing season, paludiculture demands patience and persistence. Our test plots took about two years for wetland crops to establish themselves and suppress unwanted weeds. This initial period requires careful management to ensure the success of the wetland crops.
Paludiculture involves the cultivation of specially adapted wetland plants. In Donaumoos a farmer has planted sedges and cattails
These species are planted in waterlogged and peat-rich areas. To achieve this, the drainage ditches were dammed, and the areas were additionally irrigated with solar pumps. For establishment, overseeding and multiple manual weed removals were necessary. Once paludiculture has established itself, neither soil cultivation, fertilization, nor the use of pesticides is necessary. Furthermore, a dense root system has developed, allowing conventional agricultural machinery to operate on the wetlands.
Source Project
MIXED - Multi-actor and transdisciplinary development of efficient and resilient MIXED farming and agroforestry systems
Ongoing | 2020-2025
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Denmark
Project details

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