The future of the Wadden Sea region depends on whether ‘natural processes’ can continue to proceed ‘largely undisturbed’ (UNESCO OUV). It is crucial to safeguard the interactions between geomorphological and ecological processes (UNESCO criteria viii, ix) as they form the foundation of the system and underpin biodiversity (UNESCO criterion x). People depend on the ecosystem services provided by a naturally dynamic and resilient Wadden Sea, yet compounding effects of climate change, human impact, pollution, and biodiversity loss threaten the naturalness of key processes. We therefore need an integrated management approach, based on state-of the art scientific knowledge of bio-physical interactions within the local socio-ecological context of the trilateral Wadden Sea.
In SedWay, researchers and practitioners will work together to create new syntheses and empirical observations on how the processes associated with the three UNESCO selection criteria (geomorphological, ecological and biodiversity) interact and how past, current, and future human interferences interrupt these interactions. SedWay will use socio-ecology as an interdisciplinary framework to create a common trilateral understanding of ‘naturalness’ and marry state-of-the art scientific knowledge with locally relevant management decisions.
SedWay will deliver a co-designed GIS based Decision Support System (SedWay DSS) covering all 39 tidal basins for rapid assessments of potential threats to bio-physical interactions and for improved restoration planning to implement Nature-based Solutions within the local socio-ecological context.
