New research shows flood tolerant wetland crops could also support nature recovery - RSPB

Farming on wetter soils (“paludiculture”) can support larger and more diverse bird communities than drained agricultural grassland, new research finds.

New research led by the RSPB and the University of Cambridge shows that farming wetland-adapted crops on wetter peat – known as paludiculture – can support bird communities richer and more diverse than those found on drained grassland.

Lowland peatlands, such as the East Anglian Fens and Somerset Levels, are rich in carbon and have been prized for their ability to support productive agriculture. Since the 1600s, some 90% of UK lowland peat has been drained to this end. It also contributes an estimated 4% to the UKs total greenhouse gas emissions. But, by using wetland-adapted crops and machinery, soil can be farmed in a wetter state, helping to reduce peatland emissions whilst remaining economically productive and potentially benefitting nature.

In a novel study, researchers surveyed bird communities in natural wetlands, paludiculture sites growing bulrush (Typha), and drained, grazed grasslands in the Netherlands. Bird numbers in paludiculture sites were three times higher than on drained grasslands and matched those of natural wetlands.

Wetland specialists – including Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, and Sedge Warbler – were recorded alongside typical grassland species, creating a unique and diverse bird community. The paludiculture sites also contained several bird species of European or global conservation concern, namely Eurasian Oystercatcher (BoCC – Amber), Meadow Pipit (BoCC – Amber) and Eurasian Coot.