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The potential of paludiculture – growing profitable crops on reveted peat – will be discussed by NIAB and the Broads Authority at the Agri-Tech Innovation Hub at the Royal Norfolk Show. Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-Tekai, says: “We need more data and evidence to underpin land management decisions on these valuable and fragile soils to provide solutions that work for stakeholders, so that future No one should be adversely affected by the decisions.”
Innovative Soil Management Systems for Horticulture
Despite the long history of Norfolk reeds, over 97% of reeds used for thatch in the UK are imported due to wetland loss and declining reed harvesting. Reeds and other fibrous plants can also be used to make other sustainable building materials with many benefits – a thatched roof is a long-term carbon store.
Andrea Kelly is Environmental Policy Adviser for the Broads Authority, where she focuses on developing the ecological and land management strategy for the Broads National Park, including supporting the development of an environmental land management plan.
Andrea explains the context: “The report from the Lowland Agricultural Peatland Task Force, to be launched soon, aims to unlock opportunities for everyone farming lowland peat to farm in a more sustainable way.”
She cites a project at Wright’s Farm in Lancashire which is trialling growing commercial celery crops on wet peat again. It is estimated that for every 10 cm rise in water level, 3 tons of CO emissions are reduced.2 per hectare equivalent.
“The science suggests that even a small change in water level management could substantially slow the loss-rate of peat soils, and so, in some scenarios, we want to make it possible to raise water levels in places where where they are currently tied to farming. A more climate-resilient way,” she says.
Innovative farming systems are also being tested in Norfolk. Comment from Anthony Gardiner of G’s Fresh: “G’s Norfolk Farms has the deepest and most productive peat as it was the last peat drained after World War II. The land is unique in that it is sub-irrigated, the water table in A system of dams and pipes is used under the field to manipulate. Obviously this is not suitable for all soils, so we are considering peat soil management and water table management to reduce carbon emissions. Actively engaged in discussion about the investigation, as well as gaining a better understanding of the implications for food production.
diversification on marginal lands
Andrea says that on marginal land that is not currently suitable for horticulture, there is an opportunity to transition to paludiculture. She adds: “In contrast, the Horsey Estate in Norfolk is growing wetland crops on marginal land and aims to use these to filter and clean water as well as building materials.”
Water Works is a two year project of paludiculture with field scale trials in the Great Fen. It has identified several crops with potential attractiveness in the market (see table). These are just a few examples of the growing opportunities for wetland crops across the region if drainage rates were slowed to reduce peat loss.
| Cutting | Description | Use | potential market |
|---|---|---|---|
| floating sweet grass ,Glyceria fluitans, |
Sweet nutritive grain for human consumption. In the past it has been harvested from the wild and is a food source in Poland. | The grain can be rolled as porridge-style oats, used as seed for baking and flour for dumplings, flatbreads and sweet cakes. | As a highly nutritious gluten-free alternative to flour. binding agent. |
| normal reed ,phragmites australis, |
Grown for thatch, but many other potential markets. Reed and sedge cutting is the only established and widely practiced form of paludiculture in the UK, with 17 active cutters employed on the Broads. However, only 3% of demand is produced in the UK. | The reeds can be compressed into a fiberboard that is lightweight, fireproof, breathable, and resistant to rotting during waterlogging. Bio energy source in the form of pellets. | High value industrial chemicals. Reed silica can be used to manufacture anodes in lithium-ion batteries and to reinforce concrete. The UK currently imports 25% of its bioenergy feedstocks |
| sphagnum moss | Currently used for reptile housing and floristry – cost £200 – £500 per square meter3, | Highly absorbent and antimicrobial – used as field wound dressings and has potential for use in sanitary pads and nappies. | Pete can be an option. Currently 2.5 million m3 of peat used by horticulture. |
| readmeas ,typha latifolia, |
Typha plants extract nutrients from water. They can act as a sink for 30 -60 kg of phosphorus per hectare per year. | Markets are becoming established in Germany and the Netherlands for Tyfa as a raw product for construction and insulation materials. Seed heads can be used for clothing, such as durable jacket filler. |
Typha’s high calorific value means that it has bioenergy applications, both for direct combustion or conversion to another fuel product. |
| wild herbs , | Ancient Varieties Have Medicinal Benefits | ||
| water mint | Historically as a repellent to flies, rats and mice and as a distemper herb. | Antiseptic, flavor enhancer and herbal tea. | The retail price of dried mint leaves is £26.20/kg. |
| water cress | The leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals and its main use is as a garnishing and addition to salads. | The wholesale price of watercress in the UK in August 2019 was £9.96/kg. | |
| meadow sweet | one of the three most sacred herbs of Druids. |
For which gin is used as a vegetable. Produced as an essential oil and tincture used in perfumery. | £11.99/100ml oil and £5.49/50g dry or powder. |
There are other benefits of keeping the water level high
The Broadlands Futures Initiative is also working with local people to agree a framework for future flood risk management. Avoiding high land subsidence levels of about 1–2 cm each year, which occurs when peatlands dry out, can directly help farmers and land managers. The deeper the ground sinks, the more work water pumps have to do to manage flood and drainage water, which is becoming more expensive with rising electricity costs.
Andrea comments that the many benefits to be derived from raising water levels are a public good and suggests that funding should be made available to farmers who explore this option.
more information
Within the Nature for Climate Fund, Natural England is providing the Paludiculture Exploration Fund (PEF) for England. A series of PEF projects around England will focus on tackling the barriers to developing commercially viable paludiculture on lowland peat soils in England over the next two years. Visit the Paludiculture community at paludiculture.org.uk to learn more.
The Broads Authority is managing wet farming and wetland restoration projects and engaging with farmers about landscape adaptation in the UK’s largest protected wetland.
The Paludiculture Exploration Fund will soon announce successful projects developing elements of paludiculture in England.
water works project
Fenland Soil Project
Paludiculture trial at Horsey Estate – Reed, Interreg VB North Sea Region Program,
