project

VIPNL: Wetland crops on water-rich peat

This project is investigating how wetland agriculture on water-rich peat can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land subsidence, and deliver improvements in water quality and biodiversity. The focus is on developing knowledge and understanding in areas that include hydrological planning requirements, scale-up factors, the optimisation of ecosystem services (including potential crop production), improving water quality and opportunities for water-level fluctuation and water storage/retention.

Multifunctional land use on rewetted peatlands

When growing crops on peatland, it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land subsidence, and to improve water quality and biodiversity. Accordingly, the Netherlands Peatland Innovation Programme (VIPNL) has initiated the “Wetland crops on water-rich peat” study. This study is focusing on factors associated with the cultivation of wetland crops (plants, water, soil, management), biodiversity, greenhouse gases, market and chain development, legislation and regulations, and value creation for ecosystem services.

The mesocosm trial at KWR in which we are investigating how wetland crops treat water at different flow rates and water-level fluctuations

Water quality and water quantity in wetland crops

In this programme, KWR is leading the work package on water quality and quantity. In pilot projects, field trials and mesocosms (in this case, crates simulating ponds), we are studying how wetland crops treat water by measuring water quality at different flow rates and water-level fluctuations. Important factors are the prevention of nutrient losses after rewetting and the role of the sedimentation of suspended material. In the area of water quantity, we are studying the water balance of wetland crops, including water demand and evapotranspiration from wetland crops.

Optimising hydrological planning and ecosystem services

The results of the study provide more understanding and knowledge about:

  • the hydrological planning requirements;
  • scale-up factors and the optimisation of ecosystem services for a range of wetland crops, including potential crop production;
  • improving water quality;
  • opportunities for water-level fluctuation and water storage/retention.

Fieldwork at the trial site in the Zuiderveen area near Nauerna (North Holland)