Future of the Donaumoos: A fight for ecology and agriculture!

Future of the Donaumoos: A fight for ecology and agriculture!

The Bavarian Donaumoos, once the largest fen in southern Germany, is the focus of intensive renaturation efforts. According to the findings of an interdisciplinary study by the University of Leipzig, which was published in the "E&G Quaternary Science Journal", it appears that the drainage of the moor since the late 18th century has severely damaged its natural character. Historical maps document the extensive interventions over more than 237 years and highlight the complex changes the area has undergone.

The study identifies two main phases of reconstruction between the years 1788 to 1794 and from 1907 to 1959. The fen was opened up for agricultural use through an elaborate network of ditches and canals, while the course of the Danube was also straightened. Despite multiple renaturation recommendations since the 1980s, progress in restoring the moor has remained rudimentary. Structural, historical socio-economic conditions could also hinder the process, as conventional agricultural use continues to require intensive drainage.

Historical interventions and their consequences

The research shows that the total length of the drainage ditches has remained almost constant since the interventions. This permanent drainage not only endangers the ecological function of the moor as a carbon store, but also leads to further peat subsidence. The historical reconstruction of the drainage network also offers new perspectives for archaeological monument preservation, as older soil horizons and peat may contain unrecognized archaeological layers. These findings prove that the Danube moss was used for hunting as early as the Mesolithic and for iron smelting since the Iron Age.

Current efforts at renaturation also focus on specific models to improve the water conditions in the Donaumoos. A model experiment is approved in Obermaxfeld with the aim of damming a ditch to investigate the ecological effects. This experiment, dependent on the groundwater modeling of the Ingolstadt Water Management Office, is intended to improve the groundwater level and the character of the wet meadows, which is important for both biodiversity and agriculture. The challenges posed by varying moor conditions and soil parameters should not be underestimated.

Strategies to increase the efficiency of peatland restoration

The importance of moors for climate protection is undisputed. In Bavaria, however, the renovation is progressing only slowly, as the Bavarian state government's climate protection program shows. It focuses on natural CO2 storage and restoring biodiversity in these important ecosystems. Ideal for successful renaturation is a water level of 0 to 10 cm below the top edge of the ground in order to regain the functions of the moors.

A promising strategy for renaturation is so-called paludiculture, in which moisture-tolerant plants are grown. These include cattails, reeds and sphagnum moss. These practices not only contribute to peat growth, but also enable climate-friendly agricultural use. Grazing with water buffalo is also considered sustainable because they can use moorland while supporting habitats for endangered species such as the lapwing.

The ongoing research work and model tests show a clear trend towards alternative usage concepts that combine agriculture and climate protection. Enriching the moor and adapting traditional cultivation methods to the special needs of moist soils could play a central role in the future development of the Danube moss. The interdisciplinary collaboration involved in these initiatives demonstrates the need to unite different disciplines to preserve this unique ecosystem.

Overall, it is to be hoped that the challenges of renaturation will be met with wisdom and technical know-how in order to find sustainable solutions for the Bavarian Donaumoos.