Peatlands – Habitat for Flora and Fauna

How a wetland area in Brandenburg was drained – and what remains of it.

Doris Triebsch grew up in Netzen, a small village on the edge of the Netzen polder in Brandenburg. In this clip, she recounts how the area was drained in 1965 as part of the GDR’s land reclamation program and describes what the landscape looked like before that. "Before" meant water in the cellar, flooded meadows, and neighbors paddling a boat through their own basements to reach their vegetables. As a child, Doris Triebsch used to ice-skate on the flooded meadows. A personal look at the history of a wetland area and what the drainage project meant for the local community.

Rewetting – what happens to the people living there?

In this clip, Doris Triebsch from Netzen spells out exactly what the rewetting of the Netzen polder would mean for local residents. Ground-nesting animal species would disappear. The local agricultural cooperative would no longer be able to graze livestock. Rising groundwater would push up sewage tanks. Building walls would become damp. And the local recreation area—featuring the "Vogelsee" (Bird Lake) and attracting thousands of tourists annually—would never be the same. What’s more, as recently as last January, water was already standing 20 centimeters deep in basements in Netzen—even without any rewetting measures. Doris Triebsch is not fundamentally opposed to wet peatlands. However, she makes it clear that blanket solutions fail to capture the reality on the ground.

Rewetting or water management – how Netzen found its own path.

In this clip, Doris Triebsch from Netzen explains the alternative that local residents have developed to complete rewetting: the targeted maintenance of ditches and weirs originally created for land improvement, combined with controlled water management. The idea behind it: water should be retained across the landscape—but in a controlled manner. Basements should stay dry, agriculture should remain viable, and the natural environment should be preserved as it is. The state of Brandenburg has since commissioned the development of low-water management concepts—including one specifically for the Netzen polder. For Doris Triebsch and the local community, this represents a step in the right direction.

Which peatland-derived material offers the best insulation?

In this clip, Torsten Galke from "Moor and more" explains the varying insulation properties of peatland plants and why the best solution isn't always the most practical one. Fluffy fibers trap the most air and therefore provide the best insulation. However, their production requires significant amounts of energy and water. Bundled reed stalks, on the other hand, are easier to process but offer less effective insulation. Cattails used as blown-in insulation fall somewhere in between—and could prove to be a practical compromise. It remains to be seen which material will prevail in the long run. As Torsten Galke puts it: the main thing is that progress is being made.

From the peatland to the tiny house – how wet meadow grass becomes a building material.

In this clip, Torsten Galke from "Moor and more" demonstrates what can be created from grasses harvested from re-wetted moorlands. Insulation material made from wet meadow grass – produced by Sebastian Petri, a pioneer of paludiculture in Brandenburg – is currently being delivered for a tiny house in the Great Fen near Cambridge, UK. The material is not yet fully perfected; its stability requires further improvement. However, Torsten Galke shows just how far development has come, illustrating that, with just a few additional steps, something entirely new can be manufactured from the very grass farmers are already harvesting from wet meadows, whether it be insulation material or furniture panels.

Are eco-friendly insulation materials really too expensive?

Torsten Galke from "Moor and more" has been building using eco-friendly methods for over 20 years and knows the "too expensive" argument inside out. In this clip, he explains how *paludi*-insulation materials, made from peatland plants, compare to polystyrene or rock wool. They don't quite match the insulation value of polystyrene, so slightly thicker walls are required. However, compared to other eco-friendly insulation materials like wood fiber, hemp, or sheep's wool, they fall into the same range – and the more biomass contained in the wall, the better the carbon footprint. While the price is somewhat higher, for those who prioritize sustainability, this is not a deterrent.

Cattails instead of Styrofoam – how paludiculture insulation materials deliver a threefold CO2 saving

In this clip, Torsten Balke from "Moor and more" explains why insulation materials made from wetland plants are not only ecologically compelling but also practical for real-world use. Cattail panels are approved as a building material and have already been installed. For those committed to low-carbon construction, there is also the option of obtaining case-by-case approval – even for experimental materials. The threefold CO2 saving is particularly exciting: it comes from the harvested biomass, the wet peat soil (which no longer decomposes to release carbon), and the replacement of energy- and emission-intensive insulation materials like Styrofoam or rock wool.

Cattails and reeds – transforming wetland plants into insulation materials, furniture panels, and jackets.

In this clip, Torsten Galke from "Moor and more" demonstrates the full potential of two wetland plants. Reeds are an ancient building material; while best known for thatched roofs, they can also be used as insulation boards that allow for direct plastering. And they are durable: reeds found in old buildings have remained intact without rotting for over a century. Cattails are even more versatile. Startups in the UK and Finland are processing the plant's seed fluff into jackets and duvets. The stalks are turned into insulation boards, known as "Typhaboard", or simply chopped up for use as blown-in insulation, requiring very little energy. What both plants have in common is that you cannot simply cultivate an area and harvest the exact same product every time. What grows depends on water and nutrient levels, and the processing methods must adapt accordingly.

Peatland Conservation: Yes – but how?

Sebastian and Juliane Petri farm peatlands in the Uckermark region. In this conversation, they explain why the path toward more peatland-friendly agriculture is so difficult—even though many farmers recognized the problem long ago. The core issue: Those who have invested in new barns or machinery in recent years are locked into ongoing loans. Added to this are statutory obligations dictating how land must be managed. Simply quitting or switching methods is not an option. However, Sebastian and Juliane also demonstrate what could be possible: a form of agriculture that aligns itself with what naturally grows in the soil, rather than fighting against it.

Rewetting and Agriculture – A Contradiction?

In this clip, peatland ecologist Prof. Dr. Vera Luthardt addresses one of the most common arguments against rewetting: the claim that land is being taken out of agricultural production. Her response: That need not be the case. In many places, the 165,000 hectares of peatland in Brandenburg remain usable; the only question is: for what purpose? Instead of fodder or biogas, Prof. Dr. Luthardt sees the future in the production of renewable raw materials. Arable land is needed for food, and forests for timber. Peatlands could be the only remaining reserve areas where raw materials—for packaging, construction materials, and more—can be produced sustainably. What is currently lacking: reliable infrastructure. Farmers need buyers located right at the edge of the peatlands—partners who will pre-process the biomass and ensure its reliable onward distribution. Once these supply chains are fully established, Prof. Dr. Luthardt believes many farmers will be ready to participate, as they can see what is happening to their soils.

What does peatland conservation actually do for biodiversity?

Sebastian and Juliane Petri are standing in a meadow boasting exceptionally high biodiversity—home to amphibians, ground-nesting birds, toads, and lapwings. And it is precisely this diversity that is at stake if peatland conservation is carried out incorrectly. Their conversation reveals an often-overlooked dilemma: cultivating economically valuable plants—such as reeds or cattails—in monocultures destroys the habitat that has evolved over centuries. Conversely, simply ceasing cultivation altogether results in the loss of the very plant and animal species that depend specifically on this managed cultural landscape. There is no simple answer. Yet Sebastian and Juliane Petri are convinced: only if farmers, conservation authorities, local municipalities, and citizens engage in open dialogue can a solution emerge that is truly sustainable.

Did you know that peatland plants can be used to produce building materials and filling for clothing?

In a conversation with Ludwig Bork, it becomes clear how peatlands can be utilized economically. Using the cattail as an example, he explains how plants from rewetted areas are harvested and processed—for instance, into insulation materials, building panels, or textile filling. At the same time, the technical and organizational challenges involved become apparent, as does the reason why many of these approaches have so far only been implemented on a limited, sporadic basis.

What Makes Galloway Cattle so special?

In a conversation with Marc de la Barré, it becomes clear why Galloway cattle are well-suited for the management of peatlands. These animals are considered a robust, natural breed with a high capacity to adapt to diverse weather conditions and damp environments. They roam the landscape independently and are able to cope even with challenging soil conditions. At the same time, their meat production stands apart: characterized by slower growth, naturalistic rearing, and a distinct quality compared to conventional beef.

What happens when residential developments are built on peatlands—and decades later, plans are made to rewet those very areas?

In this conversation with Sebastian and Juliane Petri—peatland climate farmers from the Moorhofer Grünlandhof—the discussion centers on responsibility, political planning levels, and the perspective of homeowners who suddenly find themselves confronted with flooded basements. This video clip illustrates how decisions made in the past continue to have repercussions today. Residential areas were established on peat soils—soils whose specific characteristics received little consideration at the time. Today, however, ecological objectives and the lived reality of many homeowners collide in the context of rewetting efforts.

How can water be managed in peatlands without pitting land use against ecological conservation?

In a conversation with Marc de la Barré, a peatland farmer from the Uckermark region, the discussion centers on the challenge of regulating water levels in peatland landscapes. The video illustrates that insufficient water leads to the desiccation of peatlands and causes long-term changes to the landscape. Conversely, excessively high water levels can render land uncultivable and alter existing ecosystems. A dynamic tension thus emerges between water retention, biodiversity, and agricultural use — a balance that requires continuous negotiation.

Too much here, too little there — why Germany’s water management is stalling peatland conservation.

Sebastian and Juliane Petri, peatland climate farmers at the Moorhofer Grünlandhof, repeatedly highlight one specific problem: Germany lacks a functional, cross-state water management system. This has tangible consequences: peatlands are drying out because water is being drained away rather than retained. Similar to regions with a water surplus, where the water is, too, simply drained away. Added to this are conflicting objectives, such as in the Spreewald region, where peatland conservation and the provision of drinking water for Berlin stand in direct competition to each other. This clip illustrates the multitude of competing interests converging around the issue of water, and explains why, without a better system, meaningful progress remains all but impossible.

Why do farmers continue to rely on maize rather than paludiculture?

In a conversation with Marc de la Barré, the economic and structural challenges underlying alternative forms of peatland management become clear. Maize yields a higher energy mass than paludiculture crops, such as reeds, making it economically more attractive. At the same time, many technical facilities are not designed to utilize paludibiomass. While applications do already exist — for instance, in energy production or the packaging industry — the transition remains a risk for many farms without long-term political and economic security.

Why do good ideas often fail during implementation?

In a conversation with Marc de la Barré, it becomes clear what challenges agricultural enterprises face when implementing new forms of peatland management. Instead of receiving direct support for peatland conservation, many are confronted with complex application procedures and overlapping responsibilities across various administrative levels. Communication between practitioners and policymakers is often fragmented in this process. This clip illustrates how bureaucratic structures exert a decisive influence on whether sustainable management practices can actually be successfully implemented.

What is Peat & how is it formed? 

Peatland ecologist Prof. Dr. Vera Luthardt explains in this clip what defines a peatland and why it is so special. A peatland forms wherever the soil is permanently saturated with water – not so much that a lake forms, but enough that hardly any oxygen reaches the soil. Under these oxygen-poor, so-called anaerobic conditions, dead plant matter cannot decompose completely. What remains is peat. This process makes peatlands unique habitats that require special adaptations from plants, animals, and microorganisms.

How far would you walk into a peatland?

In conversation with Marc de la Barré, one thing quickly becomes clear: peatlands aren't something you should blindly rely on. What initially seems stable suddenly begins to bounce, bubble, and can give way just a step later. The clip playfully illustrates how deceptive this landscape can be and why experience is crucial here.

190 Million Tons of Carbon – Hidden in Brandenburg's Peatlands. 

Peatland ecologist Prof. Dr. Vera Luthardt holds a piece of peat in her hand and explains what it contains: millennia-old plant remains, deposited since the last Ice Age. Four meters of it lie beneath her feet. In Brandenburg alone, 190 million tons of carbon are stored in peatlands. To put that in perspective: a freight train filled with this amount would circle the equator one and a half times. As long as the peatland remains wet, the carbon stays in the soil. If it dries out, microorganisms release it rapidly as CO2 and nitrous oxide. If it is rewetted, this process stops immediately.

How much CO2 does a wet peatland bind, and what about the methane? 

Peatland ecologist Prof. Dr. Vera Luthardt calculates the climate benefits of an intact peatland. Around four tons of CO2 are bound per hectare annually – that's equivalent to 2.8 tons per football field. Or, to put it another way: as much as a small gasoline-powered car emits over 33,000 kilometers. Methane is also produced in peatlands under oxygen-depleted conditions. This argument is often used against rewetting. Prof. Dr. Luthardt refutes this: Measured results clearly show that a drained peatland releases three to four times more CO2 than a wet peatland