Many myths and creepy stories rose around Moore. If you take a closer look, they are primarily fascinating places of biodiversity. Moore also protects our climate and water system. A trip to the moor is worthwhile – to discover, tackle and enjoy.
In Germany there are numerous bogs and such a high variety of moor forms than in any other European country. The Huvenhoopsmoor in Lower Saxony, the Murnau Moos in Bavaria and the Grambower Moor in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are just a few examples.
Such moor landscapes are created in areas where water collects and cavities filled in the ground. If there is no air under water, plant material cannot completely rot and peat is created. The peat layer grows up a millimeter every year due to new organic material. Many of the German bogs have been developing for many millennia.
Who lives in the moor?
The nutrient -arms and acidic ground of the bog is the home of many highly adapted plants and animals. In many of them, birds like the golden rain. Cranes also use Moore as a break on the flight between north and south.
However, the species differ between the moor forms. For example, carnivorous plants such as sunda and fat herb live in so -called raised bogs. that feed from precipitation. Lower bogies, which remain moist due to groundwater, spring water or seepage water, are home to fever clover, meat-colored boy herb and swamp bloody.
The biodiversity of the bogs of plants and animals also enriches the habitat and the livelihood of us humans. In addition, Moore help us to store water with their ability to store water. In contrast to other soils, you can absorb heavy rain without the surface being washed away and the water released in dry times. Pollutants are also filtered out of the water by the moor plants. So Moore buffer extremely weather events and clean the environment.
Moore in climate protection
Moore also stores large amounts of carbon. Because like all plants, moor plants in the atmosphere withdraw carbon dioxide and convert it into organic material. If these plants die, however, they cannot be broken down by microorganisms, because in the moor the microbes lack oxygen. The peat is therefore binding the carbon – and for 11,000 years. Although bogs cover only three percent of the land area on earth, they store twice as much carbon as all the forests of the earth.
However, if the bogs lack water, oxygen gets into the ground layer and microorganisms break down the peat layer. This not only creates carbon dioxide, but also 298 times the same climate-damaging nitrous gas. Dry bogs in Germany are responsible for seven percent of greenhouse emissions.
Why does the bogs lack water?
In Germany, only around five percent of the bogs are still in their original nature. This is because their great benefit was not aware of people for a long time. In the 18th century, Moore was considered a mistake of nature that you wanted to correct through drainage tubes and trenches. The water was removed from the moor landscapes and used the peat as a fuel and for potting soil.
Today, many drained moor areas continue to serve as well as agriculture and forestry. In Germany, around 75 percent of the moor areas are used for agriculture, especially for keeping cattle. Historical drainage systems remove the water that has already been drained. In addition, every year man destroys 500,000 hectares of the still active moor areas. As a result, even more is lost from the unique habitat and is further stimulated.
At the same time, Moore suffers from the consequences of climate change. Especially hot days and low rainfall ensure their drying out. The moor plants also have a longer vegetation phase due to global warming and thus consume more water.
Get nature back
But there are some ways to revive bogs. Dry moor areas can be restored to a certain extent by renaturation. Drainage trenches are filled and drainage pipes are removed so that the water can accumulate again. Special moor plants can also be located under nutrient -poor conditions. The neighboring areas must not be fertilized for this.
Another protective measure for moor landscapes is sustainable management with the ecosystems, as people practiced it before they were drained. At that time, Moore, for example, was used for the cultivation of reeds, with which that were covered in Northern Germany in Northern Germany. Similar things are possible again today with the so -called paludi culture. The wet area remains covered by water and the peat is protected. On the surfaces, for example, grasses for packaging and paper or pipe pistons for insulating material can then be grown, become or graze water buffalo. At the same time, it is also important that some areas are protected unmanaged.
Pack yourself and discover bogs
If you want to see the impressive variety of plants and animals of the bogs with your own eyes, you have many options in Germany. The widespread fear of sinking completely into the bog is unfounded. It is possible to sink into the moor, but due to the density of the human body, you don’t quite go under. In order to avoid such difficulties and protect nature, you should still stay on the marked and fortified paths. Guided hikes convey additional knowledge.
If you want to contribute something to protect the bogs yourself, you should pay attention to the “peat -free” license plate when buying potting soil. Nature conservation organizations such as the NABU or BUND also always offer promotions in the bog where committed moor protection can experience and help shape – for example by reducing drainage systems in bogs. Such offers are a way to get to know the fascinating landscapes and do something good.
