Facing the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, Wadden Sea salt marshes are under increasing pressure. Sustainable management scenarios are urgently needed to strengthen their role for safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Wadden Sea. Today’s salt marsh management is embedded in a complex trilateral governance system with a variety of stakeholders representing different (socio-economic) sectors and interests. It is unclear yet, (i) how salt marshes are affected by the single pressures of this triple crisis and their interactions, and (ii) how sustainable trilateral management scenarios can be developed given the complex governance system. TRICMA² will analyze effects of the triple crisis on ecological networks, ecological connectivity, and ecosystem functioning in salt marshes in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. We combine a well-designed field approach representing ‘biodiversity scenarios’ with field experiments and mesocosms, where climate, biodiversity, and pollution are manipulated. Ecological connectivity is investigated by studying movement patterns and habitat use of birds. TRICMA² includes a strong societal component by including stakeholders from several socio-economic sectors, including nature conservation, coastal protection, agriculture, and tourism. Through joint activities of scientists with secondary schools, TRICMA² aims to raise dedicated attention of ‘future generations’ to ecological pressures to Wadden Sea ecosystems. Based on acquired stakeholder knowledge, novel scientific insights, and dedicated attention of ‘future generations’, TRICMA² will develop a set of guiding principles for the sustainable management of salt marshes to safeguard the OUV of the Wadden Sea.
