In more than 75% of natural peatlands, the targets for the extent and quality of natural peatland are not being met. Major causes often originate in the areas surrounding the peatlands, including drying, poor water quality and nitrogen. This is the conclusion the Netherlands Court of Audit reached in its report Nature policy for peatlands: a quagmire?, published today.
Peat is a wet, spongy type of soil made up of dead plant material. Not only are natural peatlands very important for biodiversity, but they also store many tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the soil, thereby helping to achieve climate targets. Based on European obligations, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) has a number of targets for nature sites such as peatlands, including targets for their quality and extent. The minister has made almost €2 billion available between 2021 and 2030 to reduce the adverse effects of nitrogen deposition and improve biodiversity.
The Netherlands Court of Audit examined 173 peatland areas across the Netherlands and assessed whether the targets are being met. The aim may be to improve or expand an area, but it may also be to preserve what is already there. The targets have not been met for the vast majority of natural peatlands in the Netherlands. Only 18 of the 173 peatland areas (10%) meet the quality criteria. The Court of Audit found that the situation was most favourable for the targets relating to extent, although three-quarters still fail to meet them.
The quality targets are not met for the vast majority of peatland areas
Not met Met Target: conservation 67 12 Target: improvement 88 6
Conservation helps, but not enough
Major causes of the poor condition of peatlands include drying, poor water quality, nitrogen, invasive alien species, disturbance and fragmentation. These are disruptive ‘pressures’ originating from the surrounding areas. Land managers carry out conservation and restoration activities in these areas to meet the nature targets. Although their work has a positive effect, it is not sufficient to achieve the targets. As a result of these pressures, land managers are fighting an uphill battle.
The solution is in the surrounding areas
The key to improving peatlands therefore lies in their immediate surroundings. Within natural peatlands themselves, the provinces take the lead. Just outside these areas, it is important to establish ‘buffer zones’. However, the situation is different in these zones, where several organisations have decision-making authority. Provinces, municipalities, water authorities and central government all have a role to play. As a result, responsibility for coordinating activities is less clearly defined in these areas than within the natural peatlands themselves. In this zone surrounding nature sites, the provinces are highly dependent on other levels of government and private stakeholders. This dependence often leads to lengthy, cumbersome processes, creating a quagmire of administrative decision-making.
Minister does not provide sufficient direction
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature is responsible for the results of the policy and for meeting European obligations. However, in practice, the minister fulfils his role only to a limited extent. Although he has instruments at his disposal to implement his policy, the Netherlands Court of Audit believes he could make better use of them. If the minister fails to do so, the targets for peatlands and other nature sites in the Netherlands will be at risk.