A 10-hectare pilot in the Teterower Peene river valley is testing large-scale cultivation of cattail (Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia) on rewetted fen grassland. The site combines water-level control infrastructure, planted seedlings and seeding trials, and multi-year monitoring to evaluate biomass production, greenhouse-gas performance, water and nutrient balances, and biodiversity. The project demonstrates practical paludiculture establishment and management, feeding into guidance for farmers and policymakers.
Drained fen peatlands in Germany cause substantial agricultural GHG emissions alongside soil degradation and subsidence. The Teichweide polder’s fen peat in the Tetrower Peene river valley had been drained and managed as grassland for grazing and fodder. To conserve peat and maintain productive land use, the pilot raises water levels and grows wet-adapted cattail as a permanent crop, assessing technical feasibility, economics, and ecosystem services.
Highlights
Construction of dykes, a perimeter ditch, adjustable outlets, and pumped inflow to manage water levels on ~10 ha peatland.
Mechanical planting of 50,000 cattail seedlings at multiple densities; supplementary seeding by hand and drone.
Multi-year monitoring of stand development, biomass yield/quality, GHG fluxes, water and nutrient balances, and biodiversity.
Comparative studies with other rewetted fens (PRINCESS project); demonstration site for training and visits.
Iterative optimisation under Paludi-PROGRESS, including seed-based establishment and efficient water management.
Timeline
2019: Site preparation and setting up water infrastructure, followed by seedling planting.
2019 - 2022: Paludi-PRIMA implementation period.
2020: Supplementary seeding on shallow flooded areas.
2022 - 2025: Paludi-PROGRESS optimisation and intensified monitoring.
About the intervention
The pilot rewet a drained fen grassland by constructing bunds, a perimeter drainage control ditch, pumped inflow and adjustable outlets to maintain water within 40 cm above ground. Cattail was established via mechanical planting of 50,000 seedlings at two densities, supplemented by hand and drone seeding. Management includes seasonal irrigation (as needed), wildlife protection and dyke maintenance. The site is monitored over multiple years for biomass, climate, hydrology, nutrients and biodiversity, informing practical guidance and policy for paludiculture.
The intervention began with the conversion of a drained fen grassland parcel into a controlled wet cultivation area for paludiculture. Because the site was a “wet island in a drained environment”, substantial preparatory works were required before planting could begin. In August and September 2019, dykes or bunds were built to retain water on the site. A new ditch was excavated around the field to collect seepage water and reduce the risk of waterlogging adjacent grassland. An irrigation system consisting of a pump and inlet was installed so that water from the nearby Teterower Peene could be used for active water-level management. Two adjustable outlets were also installed to regulate site hydrology more precisely. After this preparation phase, a specialised aquatic plant nursery supplied 25,000 seedlings of Typha latifolia and 25,000 seedlings of Typha angustifolia. The seedlings were planted in mid-September 2019 using two tractor-drawn planting machines adapted from the forestry sector. Each species was planted at two densities, with layouts equivalent to 1 plant per m² and 0.5 plants per m². In June 2020, the project added a second establishment method by sowing pellets made of Typha seed and clay, both by hand and by drone, on a shallow flooded section of the site.
Ongoing management includes regulating water levels through active irrigation in spring and summer, protecting the crop from geese and wild boar, and mowing the dykes. The site is used to test cultivation methods, management regimes and harvesting approaches for cattail under wet peatland conditions. Monitoring has been built into the intervention from the outset and includes stand establishment, nutrient uptake, water balance, biomass quality and cost data. Under Paludi-PROGRESS, this monitoring was expanded to quantify carbon, water and nutrient balances as well as biodiversity, and to improve water management and lower-cost establishment through sowing. The site also supports mesocosm experiments on the effects of water levels on plant growth, biomass decomposition and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, it is used as a comparative research and demonstration area, including work with the PRINCESS project and knowledge transfer through visits and events.
Find more information about the New European Bauhaus here.
New European Bauhaus compass
"1,2,3,2,1,2"
The transformation to the wetland mosaic is a secondary, but impactful, result of hydrological work.
It greatly enhances the scenic beauty and aesthetic value of the area.
The project ensured that marginalized groups were actively included in the planning phases.
Long-term ecological balance and climate resilience were the primary drivers.
Local communities were actively engaged in shaping the final design of the landscape.
Stakeholders from local, regional, and national governments collaborated on funding and execution.
Experts from ecology, urban planning, sociology, and economics worked together closely.
Introduction
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et.
Key stakeholders
Farming enterprise Voigt
Paludi-PRIMA project consortium
Paludi-PROGRESS project consortium
University of Greifswald
State Research Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
PRINCESS project partners
Financial metrics
Funding sources
Paludi-PRIMA project, funded by Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Budget
€208,055 for the establishment of the paludiculture pilot, over ~10 ha
Outcomes
Environmental
Indicative emission reduction potential for cattail on nutrient-rich fens: ~18 t CO₂-eq/ha/year (excludes substitution effects).
Typical cattail yields: 5–20 t dry matter/ha/year (harvest possible after year 1–2).
Recommended operating water level: 0–40 cm above ground.
Biomass calorific value ~18.2 MJ/kg; ash content 3.7–6.7%.
Site-specific quantified GHG, water, nutrient and biodiversity results: Information not available.
Social
Established demonstration site with visits, field trips, Open Days and workshops.
Knowledge exchange across pilot areas and with cooperation partners.
Stakeholder engagement with local farm owner and regional research/practice network.
Economic
Potential farm-gate price up to €600 per t cattail biomass (can vary depending on biomass quality).
Logistics costs can increase due to external contractors and long transport routes.
Economies of scale and sites with free inflows identified as key to reducing establishment/management costs.
Risks and considerations
Intensive water management is required for “wet islands” surrounded by drained land; perimeter ditches help prevent unintended waterlogging of neighbouring parcels.
Harvest planning is vulnerable to short-notice weather changes when relying on distant contractors.
Long-term management performance and stand longevity remain uncertain.
Regulatory uncertainty (recognition of agricultural crop status, funding eligibility, biotope protection status) affects investment and planning.
Lessons learned
Governance & policy: Important to recognise cattail as an agricultural crop and align subsidy/approval frameworks; consider exemptions for deliberately established cattail stands from biotope protection to enable commercial deployment.
Funding & economics: Reduce costs through scale and site choice (free inflow); develop local harvesting capacity to cut logistics costs and increase operational flexibility.
Implementation timing: Plant earlier in summer and at adequate density for better establishment; pair with protective measures against wildlife damage.
Knowledge & engagement: Use demonstration sites and multi-year monitoring to de-risk adoption and inform clear guidance for farmers, authorities and planners.
