In general, water infiltration systems in peat meadows reduce groundwater level lowering and yearly vertical soil dynamics. Groundwater level fluctuations induce soil volume decreases and increases in both the saturated and unsaturated zone, causing yearly soil dynamics of up to 10 cm. Multi-year subsidence rates are in the order of mm/yr. Such research is vital to increase knowledge on subsidence processes and to develop effective measures to reduce land subsidence and greenhouse gas emission.

Draining peat causes high CO₂ emissions, and rewetting could potentially help solve this problem. In the dry year 2020 we measured that subsurface irrigation reduced CO₂ emissions by 28 % and 83 % on two research sites. We modelled a peat parcel and found that the reduction depends on seepage and weather conditions and increases when using pressurized irrigation or maintaining high ditchwater levels. We found that soil temperature and moisture are suitable as indicators of peat CO₂ emissions.

Minimizing land subsidence is of increasing importance in urban areas in The Netherlands. Modelling was done to shed light on various measures to control the water table in reducing land subsidence. Calculations were done for conditions that occur in the city of Gouda. Results suggest, amongst others, that measures that can more permanently raise the water table by a small amount are more effective than measures that prevention a large water table drop during an occasional drought.

Levelling and extensometers are applied to monitor subsidence in a cultivated peatland in Overijssel, The Netherlands, in the period end 2018 to end 2019. Preliminary results show vertical movements in the order of centimeters related to seasonal dynamics (rise in autumn/winter, subsidence in spring/summer) and shorter-term dynamics related to groundwater level fluctuations. Additional data collection is needed to assess long term net subsidence.