WIN project: The Schwenninger Moos region.
The project
Together with BUND Schwarzwald-Baar Heuberg, we support a project to protect and promote the Schwenninger Moos region. Schwenninger Moos is a wetland moor beside the river Baar near Villingen-Schwenningen in Baden-Württemberg. This marshland area extends across an area of three square kilometers and is at an altitude of 2200 feet above mean sea level and it is a nature reserve.
Due to land use, about 90% of all marshland in Germany is drained. The resultant destruction of the peat causes significant emissions of the greenhouse gases CO2 and NO2. Emissions from peatlands currently account for about 2.5 to 5% of Germany's total emissions, or between 23 and 44 million tons of CO2 greenhouse gases per year. Theoretically therefore, climate-friendly restoration of Germany’s drained peatlands could save up to 35 million tons of carbon dioxide per year and at the same time contribute to the preservation of natural biodiversity in those marshland areas.
What we are doing
In a joint collaborative venture between the German federal government (BUND) and MS XTEC, we are going to ’dekussel’ the Schwenninger Moos region. This form of landscape conservation involves us in the removal of young woody plants, known as ’kussel’, from moorland areas, wet meadows and drained marshland. In this process, spades, saws and loppers are used to remove the emerging woody growth. This usually comprises ’pioneer’ tree species such as pine, willow or birch. This type of landscape management serves to preserve certain plant communities typical of these biotopes and also to prevent the drainage of moors and excessive evaporation caused by woody plants.
We are supporting the project with personnel and are organizing several work assignments. We are currently planning a work assignment involving 12 people. Further operations may follow as and when required. The personnel needed for these work assignments will be provided by MS XTEC and the BUND.
The objective
This campaign enables us to help preserve the natural habitat of this moorland area while also encouraging its biodiversity. By not allowing woodland from growing in this peatland, we prevent CO2 from getting released and doing so we also help to safeguard the future growth of the moor. Through this action the natural carbon sink is protected now and into the future.
We also chose the Schwenninger Moos because it is a well-known and popular excursion destination in our region, one very often used by colleagues for short family days out. By becoming active locally ourselves, we contribute to the preservation and sustainable improvement of the climate in our region. This is a truly valuable experience that also strengthens our bond with our homeland and at the same time promotes an understanding of a healthy ecological balance.