Workshop Report: Nature conservation and coastal flood defence

Salt marshes constitute an inherent part of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site. Apart from their natural values, they deliver significant ecosystem services by storing carbon dioxide and for coastal flood defence. Salt marsh management varies across Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, with a mix of passive and active strategies employed for multiple purposes: enhance biodiversity, support coastal flood defence (Nature based Solution, NbS), agriculture, etc. However, sea level rise driven by climate change poses a growing risk to these habitats.

The workshop "Nature conservation and coastal flood defence: How much salt marsh management do we want and need in a changing climate?", was held on 10 October 2024 in Groningen, Netherlands. The workshop report contains information on the programme, as well as an overview on contents discussed and conclusions.

Citation:

CWSS (2025) Workshop Report: Nature conservation and coastal flood defence – How much salt marsh management do we want and need in a changing climate? Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Wilhelmshaven, Germany