As a part of the EaP CSF Re-granting project “Promotion of Paludiculture in Black Sea Region Wetlands for Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Development and Community-Based Renewable Energy” the Environment People Law (Ukraine) and its partners NGO Agricola (Ukraine), Cross-border Cooperation and European Integration Agency (Moldova) and Caucasus Green Area Union (Georgia) published the report “The potential for paludiculture in the Eastern Partnership. Case studies from Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia”.
Paludiculture involves the cultivation of wet and rewetted peatlands. Through this agricultural practice wet peatland ecosystem services are re-established and maintained. This includes: carbon sequestration and storage, water and nutrient retention, local climate cooling and habitat provision for rare species.
The report examines the concept of paludiculture as an alternative resource in three EaP countries: Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The research contains an in-depth analysis on each country focusing on:
- Physical features of the site;
- Geology and geomorphology;
- Hydrology and hydrochemistry;
- Climate;
- General ecological features;
- Flora and fauna;
- Natural resources;
- Social and cultural values;
- Land tenure/ownership;
- Current land (including water) use;
- Factors (past, present or potential) adversely affecting the area’s ecological character;
- Conservation measures in place.
Based on this analysis, the study emphasizes the role of paludiculture as a tool of reducing carbon emissions, supporting sustainable development, and generating community-based renewable energy in the Black Sea region.
