WIR! – Plant³: Buffalo husbandry, integration of water buffalo into paludiculture value chains and plant-based bioeconomy

Project background

Drained fens are largely rewetted as part of climate protection measures. The rewetted peatlands can then be left to natural succession or managed in paludiculture. Conventional management of the areas is not possible. The only site-adapted animal-based method of managing wet moors is the grazing of these areas with water buffaloes. In addition to meat production, various other ecosystem services can be provided on the rewetted areas.

Aims of the project

In the project "Integration of water buffalo into the value chains of paludiculture and plant-based bioeconomy", short title: "Buffalo husbandry as paludiculture", the sub-project Paludisiegel is concerned with developing the basis for a certificate for paludiculture. In cooperation with the project partner University of Rostock, the project investigates abiotic and biotic effects of buffalo husbandry on wet lowland moors and qualitatively describes and, where possible, quantifies associated ecosystem services. This serves as a basis for the creation of a certificate that is needed for the sustainable marketing of products from paludiculture, e.g. buffalo meat, but also for the certification of other products from wet moor use.