Unravelling interactions between salt marsh evolution and sedimentary processes in the Wadden Sea (southeastern North Sea)

Salt marshes in the Wadden Sea, covering 20% of European coastal salt marshes, face significant threats from accelerated sea-level rise (SLR) and changing storm climates. A key finding is that sediment availability and composition are critical for these ecosystems' resilience to SLR. This study unravels the complex interactions between sedimentary processes in the Wadden Sea and salt marsh evolution, identifying crucial processes influencing their morphological development. The research employs a conceptual model to frame these interactions, offering a tool for improved understanding and modeling of salt marshes, potentially applicable beyond the Wadden Sea.

Schuerch, M., Dolch, T., Reise, K., & Vafeidis, A. T. (2014). Unravelling interactions between salt marsh evolution and sedimentary processes in the Wadden Sea (southeastern North Sea). Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 38(6), 691–715. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133314548746