Triple crises meets trilateral cooperation: Effects of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution on salt marshes & pathways to their sustainable management - TRICMA2

Facing the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, Wadden Sea salt marshes are under increasing pressure. It is unclear, (i) how salt marshes are affected by individual pressures of this triple crisis and their interactions, and (ii) how sustainable trilateral management scenarios can be developed given the complex governance system. TRICMA² will analyze effects of the triple crisis on ecological networks, ecological connectivity, and ecosystem functioning in salt marshes across the Wadden Sea. We combine field observations with experiments (field/mesocosms) where climate, biodiversity, and pollution are manipulated and the impacts on vegetation, soil fauna, and carbon cycling are analysed. Ecological connectivity will be investigated via movement patterns and habitat use of birds and their available food sources. TRICMA² includes a strong societal component by joint activities of scientists and stakeholders from several socio-economic sectors, including nature conservation, coastal protection, agriculture, and tourism. Youth will be involved in our research, drawing the attention of ‘future generations’ to ecological pressures to Wadden Sea ecosystems. Based on acquired stakeholder knowledge, novel scientific insights, and dedicated attention of ‘future generations’, TRICMA² will develop a set of guiding principles and priorities for sustainable Wadden Sea salt marsh management.

Project team:

Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry Group, University of Münster
Sara E. Anthony, Tanja Broder, Klaus-Holger Knorr

Applied Plant Ecology, University of Hamburg
Jacqueline Bruhy, Kai Jensen, Viktoria Unger, Monica Wilson

University of Groningen
Farah Kootstra, Maarten van Hardenbroek, Chris Smit

University of Kiel
Filiz Kück, Philipp Schwemmer

Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
Peter Mueller

Alfred-Wegener-Institute
Ditte van de Merwe, Andreas Waser

Deltares and Delft University of Technology
Bregje van Wesenbeeck

Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences
Loes Witteveen, Sarah Zernitz

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