Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Sustainable management of cultivated peatlands in Switzerland: Insights, challenges, and opportunities

Marie Ferré, Adrian Müller, Jens Leifeld, Cédric Bader, Moritz Müller, Stefanie Engel, Sabine Wichmann

Land Use Policy · 2019

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Summary

This paper synthesises current knowledge on the sustainable management of cultivated peatlands in Switzerland, examining the ecological and economic trade-offs inherent in their continued agricultural use. The authors assess existing management approaches, quantify carbon and nutrient dynamics, and review policy instruments available to incentivise conservation-oriented practices. The work appears designed to inform national and cantonal policy on peatland stewardship in a context where drainage and cultivation have historically driven significant soil carbon loss and greenhouse gas emissions.

UK applicability

Findings are directly relevant to the UK, where cultivated peatlands (particularly in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) face similar pressures from agricultural drainage and carbon loss. The policy and management frameworks reviewed may inform UK peatland restoration strategies and agricultural subsidy reform under post-Brexit environmental stewardship schemes.

Key measures

Peatland management practices, greenhouse gas emissions profiles, soil carbon losses, regulatory and economic incentives for sustainable management

Outcomes reported

The study examined management practices, carbon dynamics, and policy frameworks for cultivated peatlands in Switzerland. It identified challenges and opportunities for sustainable management whilst addressing greenhouse gas emissions and soil conservation.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil carbon & organic matter
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Switzerland
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.05.038
Catalogue ID
BFmovi21by-936wad

Topic tags

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