The relationship between salt marsh vegetation diversity and geomorphology

Salt marshes are a key component of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site, contributing to biodiversity, coastal protection and ecosystem functioning. Within the Trilateral Monitoring and Assessment Programme (TMAP), the Expert Group Salt Marshes and Dunes identified the need for a methodology to assess progress towards the Wadden Sea Plan target “to maintain a salt marsh vegetation diversity reflecting the geomorphological conditions of the habitat, with variation in vegetation structure.” This study addresses that need by analysing how salt marsh vegetation diversity relates to geomorphological conditions across the Wadden Sea and across spatial scales relevant for management.