(*plants growing in wet, peaty soils that are characteristic of bogs)

Extracted peatlands can be used not only for growing berries but also other crops that can serve as raw materials for the production of building materials or animal feed, as well as in the energy sector.

Although this idea may initially sound like science fiction, when discussing the bioeconomy, it is possible to grow not only food for humans and animals on one's land but also raw materials for the production of building materials, energy, medicine, and pharmaceuticals, thereby reducing both the use of fossil-based raw materials and greenhouse gas emissions, and making a contribution, however small, to mitigating climate change. Ilze Ozola, a representative of the Lake and Peatland Research Centre, reports that various crops are being planted in extracted peatlands in Germany and the Netherlands, with research conducted on their impact on CO2 emissions, as well as calculations of economic benefits and costs. “A special federal programme has been established in Germany – EUKI (European Climate Initiative), within the framework of which a project titled ‘EUKI-Paludiculture in the Baltics’ is underway in cooperation with the Greifswald Mire Centre, the Estonian Fund for Nature, and the Lithuanian Fund for Nature. Its goal is not only knowledge transfer but also the development of plans for paludiculture cultivation,” says I. Ozola. She points out that paludiculture cultivation in Latvia is still only “taking its first steps”. Undeniably, every new idea creates new opportunities for peatland owners and managers to earn additional income; however, there is still much that is unknown about paludiculture. The most significant questions concern the costs of growing these crops, the harvesting of yields, and potential buyers. Paludicultures can be grown in raised bogs – sphagnum moss (for peat) and sundews, while in fens – reeds, bulrushes, sedges and reed canary grass, medicinal plants, as well as willows and black alders.

First experiments

“While there is approximately 20 years of experience in planting sphagnum moss in Germany, the first experiment in Latvia near Mālpils was carried out only six years ago. It was ‘followed’ by attempts from SIA Laflora, the Nature Conservation Agency, and SIA Klasmann-Deilman Latvia,” says I. Ozola. She admits that the first experiments have their own peculiarities, as there is a lack of both knowledge and understanding, which is why they cannot always achieve their initial goal. In late October last year, SIA Klasmann-Deilman Latvia planted sphagnum moss on 0.35 ha in an extracted peat bog. “This is solely an experiment for research purposes, and it will serve as a kind of demonstration object,” explains Andis Gredzens, a representative of SIA Klasmann-Deilman Latvia. He points out that growing sphagnum moss in Latvia is certainly cheaper than in Germany, but the costs are still significant. “Infrastructure is needed – a water pond, water supply channels, and the planting itself is by no means cheap; furthermore, it must be noted that we did not buy the sphagnum moss seedlings,” A. Gredzens answers the question about costs. He points out that right now – nine months after planting the sphagnum – it is not yet worth forecasting the future or potential development scenarios. I. Ozola recalls that in Germany, sphagnum is used in peat substrates. “1 m3 of sphagnum costs 100 euros, while 1 m3 of peat costs around 25 euros,” I. Ozola explains the difference. Meanwhile, A. Gredzens notes that the most essential question lies in the buyers' motivation: why buy the more expensive rather than the cheaper option. “Currently, in conditions of such price differences, the most important question is the circle of potential buyers,” says A. Gredzens. He does acknowledge, however, that the mentioned price difference could be changed by both national (including Latvian) and EU regulatory requirements (conditions). It should be taken into account that one of the priorities of the next EU multiannual budget for 2021-2027 in the European Union will be climate change mitigation. “Sphagnum is the main component of peat. Consequently, growing sphagnum means growing peat,” stresses I. Ozola. She explains that in Latvia, peat naturally “accumulates” at a rate of one to two millimetres per year, and since the current extraction volumes are lower than the natural accumulation, the amount of peat in Latvia is increasing.

Raw material for medicine

Sundews grow in natural bogs, but they can also be grown in extracted peatlands. “Essentially, this is a medicinal raw material – a plant – whose components can be found not only in homeopathic preparations but also in cough syrups,” explains I. Ozola. As an example, she mentions Finland, where 100 kg of dried sundews are harvested annually. “The Finns do it, they just don't advertise it specifically, and they earn substantial income,” says I. Ozola. She admits that, similar to Germany, it would be possible to establish sundew plantations in Latvia and use extracts from these plants in pharmaceuticals.

Biomass for energy

Information from the Lake and Peatland Research Centre shows that in Germany and Belgium, grown sedges and reed canary grass are used as fuel. “Sedges as biomass fuel are no longer ‘science fiction’, as shown by several examples where small settlements use biomass from sedges grown in nearby fields in their boiler houses as fuel. In Latvia, this is not the case yet,” says I. Ozola. She admits that a more well-known representative of paludiculture used in energy in Latvia is reed canary grass. “At one time, reed canary grass and wood pellet pellets were produced in Latvia. Currently, SIA ‘Zelta zeme’ is considering the possibility of growing reed canary grass in extracted peat fields and producing pellets from the harvested biomass, with or without peat,” says I. Ozola. She points out that reed canary grass can also be used for livestock feed because it contains a lot of fibre, which is particularly relevant for horse breeders. “Reed canary grass can also be used for bedding in livestock farms, but (!!!!) the customer's attitude towards the dark colour of reed canary grass must change – it is associated with poor quality, which is not true!” I. Ozola replies when asked where else reed canary grass could be used. Interestingly, in the Netherlands, in formerly drained bogs where the water level has now been restored, buffaloes are raised in the wild, and their meat is both quite expensive and very popular. “Reed canary grass biomass can also be used as a raw material for the production of building materials,” adds I. Ozola.

Reeds for building materials

While in Latvia, building materials are understood to include not only wood but also sand and concrete products, in other countries, this also includes reeds and bulrushes. “In the Netherlands, wall panel blocks are produced from reeds, reed canary grass, and bulrushes,” says I. Ozola. “It is known that another paludiculture that can be used as a raw material for building materials is bulrushes.”

The bulrush phenomenon

“Bulrush biomass can be used in the production of thermal insulation materials. There are also companies in Latvia that have expressed interest in testing this product,” informs I. Ozola. She points out that approximately 15 t of dry bulrush mass is required to insulate a three-storey house. Such an amount can be grown on an area of 1 ha. Interestingly, bulrush does not absorb moisture, and at one time life jackets were filled with bulrush seeds because they can remain in rain, snow, or water, yet not absorb more than 15-20% moisture. Bulrush purifies polluted water. “Studies show that one hectare of bulrushes absorbs 12-15 t of CO2, and furthermore, these plantations are a significant site for forest animals,” I. Ozola replies when asked about the environmental impact. “One bulrush plant costs 0.5 euros, but one bulrush contains approximately 400,000 seeds, which are sown by mixing them with sand.” It is intended that this autumn, SIA Klasmann-Deilman Latvia will attempt to plant bulrushes in one of the most remote managed peatlands, which would allow for the acquisition of biomass for further experiments in construction. “This will take place away from active peat extraction fields, because there must be no bulrush seeds in peat,” A. Gredzens answers the question about where this experimental field will be located. He does not hide the fact that the sowing of bulrushes will be a kind of experiment. “For now, there is no talk of serious cultivation as long as the economic advantage is only a theoretical, not a mathematical calculation,” says A. Gredzens. I. Ozola's initial calculations indicate that by choosing a good cultivation site, the price of one cubic metre of bulrush biomass could be similar to the price of eco-wool. I. Ozola points out that bulrush pollen can be used in greenhouses to feed insects that kill pests. Data from German researchers show that 10 kilograms of pollen can be obtained from 2 ha of bulrushes, where the price of one kilogram is 200 euros, and collecting it does not require much time. “Bulrush roots can be used in cooking, as an additive to various porridges,” says I. Ozola. Bulrushes taste good to livestock. “Up to 22 tonnes of bulrushes can be harvested from one hectare,” I. Ozola replies when asked how much mass can be obtained. She laughs that bulrushes successfully sow themselves, so the costs of establishing such fields can be zero, but they can just as easily be 120,000 euros per hectare (data from EU structural fund programmes).

Machinery and infrastructure

A. Gredzens points out that experimental paludiculture cultivation is one thing, but industrial activity is quite another. “Harvesting machinery is needed (the question is: can it work in wet weather), which we do not have in Latvia, and there are no calculations for how much it costs. Besides, if a specific crop is grown for a specific purpose, the harvest must take place at a specific time, not when it ‘happens to be convenient’, and furthermore, it must be understood whether artificial drying of the harvested biomass is needed, how much it costs, who does it, and whether processors (consumers) are ready to buy it in industrial volumes. If these industrial (large) consumers are located nearby in Latvia, that will be one story; if they are in another European country, there will be the question of transport costs,” A. Gredzens explains the list of unanswered questions. He stresses, however, that answers to these questions must be found, and they do not mean a rejection of paludiculture cultivation. I. Ozola points out that only those who act achieve their goals. “The questions are valid, but they can only be answered by doing!”

On an area of 200,000 ha

The Lake and Peatland Research Centre has developed a map showing places in Latvia where paludiculture could be grown – approximately 200,000 ha. This area also includes peaty agricultural land, which is mostly overgrown and generates high emissions. The amount of emissions can be significantly reduced by growing paludiculture. Land used in this way would allow its owner to earn additional income and would address the important issue of emission reduction in the agricultural sector. Likewise, the introduction of paludiculture would allow extracted peatlands, which are considered degraded areas and a liability, to continue being part of the economy and retain a significant place in nature. The question is about the time when this could happen because, undeniably, time will be needed from experimental cultivation to industrial-scale production! “This deadline can be shortened by finding buyers for potential products (raw materials) and making an economically advantageous offer,” evaluates I. Ozola. She admits that in the context of the bioeconomy, competition over what is best to grow on each hectare of land will only grow.

The article uses photographs from zemeunvalsts.lv