M: The Ammerland's raised bogs were formed as the most recent Ice Age came to an end. The sea level in the North Sea rose, making it harder for water to drain from rivers, floodplains and lakes. Mosses developed in places that are wet all the time; dead vegetation collected in depressions, lakes silted up and initially led to the formation of fens, which then continued to grow. As soon as the groundwater supply ceases and the bog is only fed by rainwater, raised bogs begin to form.
F: The excess water and natural lack of oxygen in the bog mean that dead vegetation doesn't decompose completely. Instead, it turns into peat. The process is very slow and takes hundreds or even thousands of years.
M: From the mid-19th century, colonists moved on to the bogs. Wielding shovels and spades, they set about extracting peat as a valuable raw material. Fehnsiedlungen – peat settlements – were established, and peat cutting grew into a real industry. The bogs were drained on a large scale and the peat extracted. Local residents continued to cut peat for their own use, especially as winter fuel.
F: Since the late 20th century, there have been signs of a turnaround in peatland use: As important CO2 reservoirs and natural habitats, more and more peatlands are being rewilded. These days, extracted peat is mainly used for medicinal purposes.
Fotos: © Tanja Heinemann
