Bogs, fens and peatlands store more CO2 worldwide than forests and are under massive threat. Franziska Tanneberger fights for their protection and rewetting.

Berlin

Franziska Tannenberger, a prominent German expert, is dedicated to the restoration and protection of peatlands, such as bogs and fens, which play a crucial role in carbon storage and biodiversity. In Germany, most peatlands have been drained, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Tannenberger's work involves not only ecological restoration but also engaging with farmers whose livelihoods depend on these lands, aiming to make peatland conservation and agriculture compatible.

She advocates for increased policy support and collaboration among stakeholders to address the challenges of re-wetting peatlands, which can impact agricultural productivity. Tannenberger emphasizes the need for practical solutions that balance environmental protection with economic realities, underscoring the broader societal benefits of healthy peatlands for climate and biodiversity.

German peatlands expert works to restore bogs and fens

Pietland's bogs and fens are shrouded in mystery and legend. Few know as much about the unique habitats as leading German expert Franziska Tannenberger. Fens are ecosystems that developed in places that have water in excess, like here. Plants that grow here, which are adapted to the wet conditions, don't decompose completely but form peat, what I'm standing on. There are many important reasons to protect peatlands, especially in Germany, where most have been destroyed. Tannenberger has studied peatlands for many years and campaigned for their conservation. Fens like this one, the Molmer Seewiesen, are rare. Since its restoration three years ago, many bog plants and animals have made a comeback in the area. You can see the transition here quite well. This is a sedge plant that grows in bogs like this. The leaves on top are green, of course, and the roots down below are these white and brown things you see. That's where it's already transitioning into peat. That's the special thing that happens in peatlands. The roots don't decompose completely. More is created than is broken down again. Peat that builds up over thousands of years forms very special ecosystems, and protecting them is about more than just everyday conservation. We face real societal challenges, like the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis, to name just two. And at some point we realized that although peatlands can't save the world and solve every problem, a lot really does come together there. Although peatlands cover just 4% of all land globally, they play a key role in ecosystems. They trap more carbon than all the world's forests combined, providing a habitat for rare plants and animals. In Germany, 95% of all bogs and fens have been drained, the source of 7% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. If drained peatlands were re-wetted, they could begin storing carbon again instead of emitting it, which is why Franziska Tannenberger campaigns for more of them to be restored in Germany. But what about the farmers who currently make their livelihood from land that was once a bog? In the past, protecting peatlands often meant halting agriculture in those areas that we were re-wetting, buying up the land, maybe turning it back into wilderness, which is a great thing. But considering the fact that we have almost 2 million hectares of peatlands in Germany, where we now want to gradually raise water levels, this strategy alone won't cut it. That's why Tannenberger is talking about options with farmers like Henning Christ, who's taking part in a re-wetting project. The goal is to make peatland protection and agriculture complementary rather than just one or the other. But as Christ explains here, even just getting around on waterlogged ground isn't easy because you can't drive on it. Re-wetting poses new problems for farmers. I believe listening is very important and asking about the reasons and looking for solutions together. Not to show up with a finished plan, but always to ask how it could work here on the ground. Together with farmers, Tannenberger wants to explore possibilities for agriculture in peatlands, whether in saturated areas or, like here, in places that dry out in the summer. Henning Christ could now use this land to grow fodder for his animals, but its quality won't be very high. Of course we want to do our bit, because climate protection is a really big issue. But it also means downsides for us, no question. The land isn't quite as attractive economically as it used to be. The farmer receives some subsidies for conservation efforts, but they aren't enough to make up for an inferior harvest, or the risks. Tannenberger also wants policymakers to get more involved in peatland protection and pushes for more state support. The researcher shuttles constantly between northern Germany, Berlin and Brussels, talking to everyone involved, like here, at the German Council for Sustainable Development, an advisory panel, or with people at the country's agricultural associations, who fear output and income in the sector will suffer. Francisco was the first to say that though we have to save peatlands for reasons of climate and biodiversity, we also have to save the people who earn their livings from farms. And when someone is so committed and well-versed in representing their cause, it makes finding solutions together all the more fun. Discussing, listening to other opinions and not losing sight of environmental protection in the process, it all takes a lot of energy and staying power. On the one hand, it helps if you're really convinced that your issue is worth it. And in the case of peatlands, I'm very certain about the many synergies – climate, biodiversity, sustainable management – that everything is involved. Also, I think it's very important to talk about timeframes. Not everyone has to implement climate protection 100 percent tomorrow. But we all have to work together to get there. Franziska Tannenberger, one of Germany's top experts on bogs, fens and peatlands, who also knows how to convince people they're worth protecting. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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