Sediment dynamics is a very complex and essential key process for the Wadden Sea ecology. Their human and climate change induced alterations, are not yet accommodated on the trilateral level. Although much research on sediment dynamics has been conducted in this area, the trilateral synthesis of results and their use to implement trilateral policy measures safeguarding geomorphological functioning of the Wadden Sea ecosystem under climate change is limited. Climate change is expected to have a severe impact on the coastal zone, due to the decreased adaptive capacity of this area based on coastal squeeze resulting from dike construction and sea-level rise. Aim of 'WAD was - WAD can we do?' is to develop a trilateral sediment action plan for the land-sea transition zone, synthesizing existing research on sediment dynamics and coastal adaptation measures together with an exploration of the social acceptability of potential interventions to key administrative, stakeholders, and local citizens. The project will create a think tank of experts from various disciplines, synthesize existing knowledge through data mining, and develop and implement transdisciplinary knowledge for local to regional policy and management advice. We will develop a trilateral nature point based evaluation of the Wadden Sea sediment situation (past, status quo, future) that in combination with social cost-benefit analysis enables the assessment of added values of potential policy measures on the Wadden Sea ecosystem. Evaluation of local citizens awareness and potential acceptance of ecosystem-based coastal adaptation measures will be conducted to guide the legitimization of the trilateral action plan.
