Warming experiment in the Wadden Sea | Photo: Kai Jensen, University of Hamburg
Salt marshes develop in intertidal areas at sheltered depositional coastlines. Due to the multitude of ecosystem services they deliver, salt marshes are considered as important coastal ecosystems. In this talk, results on vegetation zonation, successional pathways and the development of biodiversity in Wadden Sea salt marshes will be presented. Furthermore, the vulnerability of the ecosystem to accelerated sea level rise will be assessed based on our analyses of accretion rates. Current results on blue carbon accumulation, organic matter turnover and the role of plants in mediating carbon cycling will be presented. Finally, a recently established world-unique salt marsh warming experiment will be introduced.