The Netherlands has a strong tradition of draining peatlands, often for agricultural purposes, resulting in CO₂ emissions, soil subsidence, and biodiversity loss. A higher groundwater level is often presented to combat these issues as it offers benefits for ecosystem restoration, reducing land subsidence, and achieving climate adaptation. However, implementation remains limited due to conflicts with conventional agricultural practices, possible methane emissions, water quality concerns, and policy contradictions. This study examines how spatial planning in the peatland region of Midden-Delfland can support climate adaptation through strategic groundwater elevation, while balancing environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and agricultural viability.
Using a spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) combined with expert insights, the research identifies areas where groundwater level adjustments are most necessary, feasible, and desirable. It proposes a spatial transition strategy that strengthens the region’s landscape identity while enhancing resilience to climate change. Wet crop cultivation (paludiculture), such as reed, cattail, cranberries, or peat moss, is explored as a viable alternative in areas with thick peat layers and high greenhouse gas emission potential. Strategies such as water retention and multifunctional land use should form the foundation of climate-adaptive planning.
For this transition to succeed, several conditions must be met. First, freshwater availability is essential, as scarcity poses a significant risk to the effectiveness of groundwater elevation. Second, contradictory policies, such as subsidies promoting opposing objectives, must be resolved and clear, consistent sustainability frameworks for the agricultural sector are needed to take the lead in driving this transition forward. Third, economic uncertainty due to changing political priorities underscores the need for fair compensation for when transitioning to paludiculture and for providing ecosystem services. Lastly, a cultural shift is needed in how landscapes are valued. Provincial policies focused on preserving open views may unintentionally block transitioning to paludicultures. Whether heritage protection should limit climate adaptation remains a key question for further research. This study presents a planning framework that incorporates ecological, spatial, and socio-economic perspectives for making peat landscapes climate-resilient, applicable not only in the Netherlands but also beyond.