We must protect natural CO₂ storage systems. In the latest annual analysis of the WMO, they published that the “continued emissions of CO2 from human activities and an upsurge from wildfires were responsible, as well as reduced CO2 absorption by “sinks” such as land ecosystems and the ocean – in what threatens to be a vicious climate cycle. “
Protecting Groundwater and Natural CO2 Sinks
Our pilot on rewetting strategies for the Gnarrenburger Moor (GE2) addresses this issue, and wants to reduce CO2-emissions in future.
The Gnarrenburger Moor is an approx. 60 km2 raised bog in north-west Germany. Towards the end of the 18th century settlement began. Peat extraction was the basis of existence there for a long time and still exists today. Nowadays the area is drained largely and used for agriculture (grassland, corn and potatoes). There are also residential areas.
A total rewetting of the Gnarrenburger Moor therefore will be difficult to implement with local support. Instead, we want to identify specific areas where rewetting should take place. The aim is to maintain the habitability of the region and, in some cases, traditional agricultural use, and at the same time, identify areas where rewetting as a climate change adaption measure can take place.
Our first results from the modflow 6 model show the effects of different rewetting methods on the water table (Fig.1). By less drainage (e.g. removing the drainage system or building dams) the water table can increase, whereas it remains in other parts of the peatland as it is.