Wetlands can store six times more carbon dioxide than forests
In short: Watch how a century of industrial agriculture nearly erased one of Europe's most vital ecosystems, and the massive conservation effort required to bring it back from the brink.
Lake Steinhude in Northern Germany serves as a primary example of successful rewilding. A hundred years ago, the area was drained and plowed for industrial farming, leading to the local extinction of various species and the drying of marshlands. Conservationists have since restored over 1,000 hectares of farmland into thriving wetlands.
The restoration involved rebuilding water meadows and creating hundreds of ponds. These habitats now support more than 180 bird species, including lapwings and hoopoes, alongside wild boar and adders. Beyond biodiversity, the project highlights a critical climate mechanism: wetlands can sequester up to six times as much carbon dioxide as forests.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Germany Brought This Lost Wetland Back to Life | Lake Steinhude Documentary
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