In WP4: Ecosystem Functioning, we assess biophysical and biogeochemical processes of accretion, greenhouse gas cycling, and pollutant retention in salt marshes. Measurements of greenhouse gas fluxes alongside other parameters have been performed in the mesocosm experiment at the AWI (Sylt). Preliminary data from these measurements suggest strong effects of climate change and plant community composition on greenhouse gas dynamics. In addition, field plots have been established for long-term measurements of accretion. Furthermore, an initial exploratory screening of pollutants in salt marshes has provided insights into the ecological significance of specific pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides. Pesticides in salt marsh vegetation and soil will be further investigated in collaboration with colleagues at RPTU in Landau and linked to future investigations of microplastic pollution in birds.

Participating Researchers
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Peter Mueller, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau
Prof. Dr. Klaus-Holger Knorr, Universität Münster
Dr. Sara E. Anthony, Universität Münster
Dr. Tanja Broder, Universität Münster