Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam researchers measure soil resistance to protect peat meadows
Drying peat soils are growing too hard for earthworms and godwit beaks to penetrate while releasing trapped carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to researchers. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam researchers have launched a comprehensive investigation into peatland management to determine whether alternative farming methods can reverse soil compaction and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The scientific effort builds upon initial field tests conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers Nico Jonker and Dick Melman walked out to measure soil resistance using a penetrometer, a spring-loaded device that tests how hard the ground has become and whether meadow birds like godwits can still feed. That initial curiosity has since expanded into VeenVitaal, a formal university research project led by professor Matty Berg.
Project VeenVitaal targets sustainable farming methods for drying peatlands
Project leaders aim to quantify remaining peat volumes and establish sustainable management practices across Dutch farmland. Matty Berg notes that keeping peat saturated with water would be ideal, but dry peat resists rehydration and agricultural communities must still inhabit the region.
Researchers collected peat cores from a polder near Spaarnwoude to analyze historical soil strata. Mariet Hefting describes the cores as a natural history book, pointing out grey clay layers from ancient sea salt floods alongside unmined plant remnants like centuries-old reed fibers. When these layers dry out, plant material oxidizes and releases carbon dioxide directly into the air.
Frequently Asked Questions about peat soil research
What instruments do researchers use to measure soil hardness?
Researchers use a penetrometer, which is a specialized spring-loaded device pressed into the earth to measure physical soil resistance.
Who leads the VeenVitaal research project?
Professor Matty Berg leads the VeenVitaal research initiative at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, working alongside postdoctoral researcher Rosa Boone and researcher Mariet Hefting.