The program consists of three sessions, that each start with a general introduction of 15 min and is followed by three shorter presentations of 5 min and closed with a discussion.

Welcome and introduction by Katja Philippart

Session 1: Ecological feed-back mechanisms

Katja Philippart: moderator

Intro by Tjisse van der Heide (RUG/NIOZ): Why do we need knowledge about ecological feedback mechanisms for an adaptive management of the Wadden Sea?

• Why do plant-sediment interactions in salt marshes affect ecosystem services? (Ketil Koop-Jakobsen; AWI)
• Why are plant-mediated feedbacks relevant for landscape formation? (Valerie Reijers; NIOZ/UU)
• Why do we have to consider various phases of the life-cycle? (Muriel Bruckner; UU)

Discussion about session 1

Session 2: Ecosystem engineering

Lies van Nieuwerburgh: moderator

Intro by Tjeerd Bouma (UU/NIOZ): Why do we need knowledge about ecosystem engineering for an adaptive management of the Wadden Sea?

• Why are we doing a large-scale experiment on salt marsh construction in the Marconi project? (Martin Baptist; WMR)
• Why do we need to create a window of opportunity for the establishment of mussel beds? (Jacob Capelle; WMR)
• Why can ecological engineering serve in coastal protection? (Bas Borsje; UT)

Discussion about session 2

Session 3: Role of modelling in exploring impacts of environmental change

Martin Baptist: moderator

Intro by Peter Herman (Deltares/TUD): Why do we need models for exploring future impacts of environmental change on the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors in the Wadden Sea?

• Why do hydrodynamic models have to include the characteristics of seagrass meadows? (Jasper Dijkstra, Deltares)
• Why should governmental organisations be aware of interactions between abiotic and biotic factors in their coastal shallow waters? (Cor Schipper; RWS)

Discussion about session 3

Overall discussion

Closing by Martin Baptist