Land use alternatives for fen-peatlands in northeastern germany

摘要

Fens cover an area of over five million hectares in Central Europe. They are used for various purposes. Some sites are claimed by nature conservation because of their biodiversity values. In several countries peat extraction takes place over considerable areas. Nowadays agricultural use of fens and forestry after drainage involves a large consumption of natural resources and a significant negative impact on water and atmosphere. Alternative, sustainable ways of land use on fen areas should be developed. After demonstrating the problems of contemporary land use of peatlands the importance of different functions of fens is described. Possible effects on the site are compared for different land use concepts and their economic relevance is pointed out. Different sustainable land use concepts are proposed that will lead to an optimal protection of resources and a high degree of diversity. Growing reed, cattail or alder in semi-aquatic ecosystems would be an economically interesting way to meet these goals on parts of the rewetted areas. Demolishing the amelioration systems with following natural succession will lead to wilderness, also with a high degree of diversity. The importance of management systems to preserve historical landscapes with rare species will not increase with a growing contribution of wilderness areas and cultivation of reed and other industrial plants in wetlands.