Authors:
Gaudig, Greta; Franziska Gahlert, Matthias Krebs, Anja Prager, Jenny Schulz, Sabine Wichmann and Hans Joosten
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
degraded-bog, sphagnum-biomass, sustainable-land-use
Documentfile:
Gaudig et al 2012: Sphagnum Farming in Germany – 10 Years on the Road to Sustainable Growing Media
Summary:
Theme V. Restoration, rehabilitation and after-use of disturbed peatlands
SUMMARY
Since 2001 we are studying the perspectives of peat moss cultivation (‘Sphagnum farming’) in greenhouse and field experiments with special attention to propagation, propagules storage, establishment, productivity and regeneration of Sphagnum. Our results show that Sphagnum
farming in Germany is possible and promising and that Sphagnum biomass may provide a sustainable high-quality alternative to fossil white peat as a raw material for horticultural growing media. Sphagnum farming may enable a climate friendly, sustainable after-use option for abandoned cut-over bogs and degraded bog grasslands (www.sphagnumfarming.net).