Plausibility of pathways for landscape development in peat meadows: An exploration of the Amstelscheg case study

Large parts of the Western Netherlands, including the so-called Green Heart (Groene Hart), consist of peat meadows. Soil subsidence occurs in these areas, mainly as a result of oxidation of peat above the artificially lowered groundwater level. Soil subsidence causes increased vulnerability to flooding, economic losses due to damage to homes and infrastructure and increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, governments are exploring sustainable approaches to reduce soil subsidence in peat meadows. The aim of this study is to identify the plausibility of pathways for landscape development in the Green Heart. Plausibility depends on the suitability and feasibility of a pathway. First of all, it was studied what pathways are, what pathways are used for and what the limitations of pathways are. Subsequently, a stakeholder analysis was carried out to determine which actors are important in the Amstelscheg and what their formal tasks, competences, interests, goals and problem perceptions are. The selected stakeholders were interviewed about their future visions for peatlands, the scenarios and what is needed to realize these future visions. The results of the interviews were compared in order to arrive at the most plausible pathway. In addition, a roadmap was created that provides insight into how the implementation of the pathway can be achieved.