SALTGARDEN:enabling resilient salt marshes in the Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea is the world's largest continuous natural habitat shaped by tidal forces. This unique configuration of coastal and marine ecosystems is of Outstanding Universal Value and was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. However, this valuable yet vulnerable ecosystem is increasingly threatened by the impacts of the triple ecological crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. In principle, the natural dynamics of the salt marshes in the Wadden Sea can contribute to the mitigation of and adaptation to the impacts of the triple ecological crisis. Their ability to trap suspended sediments and stabilise soils strengthens their role as natural coastal protection and facilitates adaptation to sea level rise due to climate change. At the same time, salt marshes can serve as important pollutant and carbon sinks, whilst delivering outstanding biodiversity. However, most Wadden Sea salt marshes have undergone anthropogenic use for centuries, with a strong focus on coastal protection and agriculture.<br/><br/>The SALTGARDEN project explores new restoration concepts that aim to maintain the ecological integrity of salt marsh systems and strengthen their associated ecosystem services. Our desired societal impact is a paradigm shift in the management of salt marshes towards new ecological guiding principles that we name Nature-based Gardening (NbG). This shift requires social and political acceptance. SALTGARDEN therefore aims to co-create socially and politically accepted NbG strategies in order to improve the functioning and resilience of the vegetated coastal ecosystems in the Wadden Sea.