Paludiculture Potential on Fen Peatland: A Soil-Based Case Study from Central Poland

Paludiculture is crucial for peatland preservation as it maintains high water levels, preventing peat decomposition and reducing carbon emissions. This study evaluates the viability of paludiculture management on a fen peatland in the temperate climatic zone of Central Poland. The investigated peatland has been affected by agricultural drainage and a brief period of peat extraction in the 1990s. Field surveys and soil sample collection were conducted in September 2023, followed by soil morphology and physico-chemical analyses to classify the soils and assess their hydrophobicity, organic matter content, and secondary transformation. Prolonged drainage significantly altered soil properties, leading to the transition from Histosols to Gleysols. Soil profiles exhibited varying degrees of hydrophobicity, with MED values ranging from 5.0 to 8.5, indicating slight to moderate hydrophobicity. The highest degree of secondary transformation (W1 index of 0.92) was observed in profile 4. However, profiles 1–3 showed strong potential for paludiculture due to their peat composition and hydrological conditions. Paludiculture implementation is expected to support sustainable agriculture, while conservation tillage or grassland management is recommended in areas with advanced secondary transformation to prevent further organic matter depletion.