The grant shall be used to address pressing research questions relating to peatlands that have a high practical relevance, and to strengthen peatland research in Greifswald in the long term. Measures for achieving this include the expansion of databases and research infrastructures that are unique on an international scale. Activities will focus on excellent research into biodiversity, the water economy and the sustainable use of peatlands, as well as on providing knowledge relevant to practice. This scientific expertise will be channelled into the development of specific case studies and new value chains for products emerging from wet peatland agriculture.
Federal Minister for the Environment Carsten Schneider explains: “Greifswald is the leading international centre for peatland research and is helping us to learn even more about peatlands. Wet peatlands play a huge part in helping us combat climate change and retain water in the countryside during periods of drought. Peatlands in Germany were drained over the course of several centuries. We are experiencing the consequences today: groundwater levels are falling, forests are drying up, and greenhouse gases are being emitted and causing global warming. The situation is different if we restore them to their original, wet state: this enables us to retain water in the countryside, so that farming remains possible even during periods of drought. We all benefit from such measures: heavy rainfall can be absorbed and stored for use during periods of drought. Groundwater reserves are replenished. Sufficient water is once again available to the surrounding countryside. Peatlands return to their role as natural air conditioning systems, a function they performed for thousands of years. Peatland research provides the necessary foundation for this. This grant will support the research – and, at the same time, strengthen the research landscape in north-eastern Germany.”
Minister-President Manuela Schwesig said: “Our peatlands have a special significance. They protect the climate, promote biodiversity, store water, and open up new prospects for the sustainable production of biomass. Greifswald is the leading centre for peatland research in Germany. We are delighted that Federal Minister for the Environment Carsten Schneider has decided to provide 14 million euros in funding over the next four years to support the expansion of peatland research in Greifswald. The State is also contributing 700,000 euros towards the establishment of the Greifswald Mire Institute. In this way, we are not only strengthening Vorpommern as a centre for research, but also improving climate and environmental protection.”
Rector Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel sees the grant as a strong signal for Greifswald as a location for research: “Peatland research has been part of the University of Greifswald for more than 200 years. Today, Greifswald is one of the leading centres for peatland research in Germany: we are home to the only professorship for peatland science in the country, with around 100 researchers from three faculties working on topics related to peatlands. The Greifswald Mire Centre also serves as an important link between academia, politics and practice. The fact that the University of Greifswald is also the lead institution for the WETSCAPES 2.0 Collaborative Research Centre/Transregional Research Network is a testament to the location’s academic strength. This funding will support the development of this distinctive profile and lay an important foundation for the development of the Greifswald Mire Institute.”
State Minister for the Environment Dr. Till Backhaus added: “Nature-based climate action is more important for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern than for almost any other federal state. That is why, in recent years, I have devoted a great deal of effort to safeguarding the long-term future of Greifswald’s outstanding peatland research and ensuring its continued development. I am very pleased that the Federal Government is now joining us on this endeavour. This grant will be used to answer key research questions, safeguard globally unique databases and research infrastructures, and preserve the local expertise that has been developed over decades. This is money well spent – the findings from Greifswald are of great importance for climate protection, agriculture, and the development of our rural areas. My aim is clear: I would like Greifswald to establish itself permanently as the leading centre of excellence for peatland research in Europe. With today’s grant, we have taken a decisive step towards this goal.”
Further information
https://www.moorwissen.de
https://greifswaldmoor.de
https://botanik.uni-greifswald.de/en/structure/working-groups/peatland-science/
Contacts at the University of Greifswald
University Communications
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Tel.: +49 3834 420 1150
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Dr. Franziska Tanneberger
Soldmannstraße 15, 17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 3834 420 4137
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