ECAS-BALTIC:

Funding: BMBF-Rahmenprogramm “Forschung für nachhaltige Entwicklungen (FONA)“

Funding period: 11/2020 – 10/2023

Project leader: Jochen Hinkel (GCF Berlin)

Subproject leader (University of Rostock): Hendrik Schubert

Project employee: Daniela Glück

Project partners:

* Global Climate Forum (GCF) Berlin

* Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (CAU)

* Ludwig Franzius Institute for Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover (LUH)

* Helmholtz Centre Geesthacht (HZG)

* Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)

* University of Greifwald (UG)

This project co-designs and co-develops ecosystem-supporting coastal protection and adaptation (ESA) strategies for the German Baltic Sea coast. We will set up a transdisciplinary process, including two real world laboratories (RWL), to co-design long-term ecological, social and economic goals for coastal management and desired ESA strategies, based on stakeholders' interests, risk preferences, social acceptability and relevant legislation. The long-term effects of the ESA strategies will be evaluated based on the co-designed ecological, social and economic goals, optimised using relevant decision support tools, and turned into policy recommendations and management plans for coastal and environmental protection.

At the University of Rostock, the focus is on the observation of ecological impacts of the ESA strategies. This will be achieved by mapping of the underwater and terrestrial vegetation close to coastal protections and nearby sites and determining site factors (e.g. grain size distribution, nutrients, turbidity, TOC, TOM). The field operations are performed along the German Baltic Sea coast (e.g. Fehmarn, Rügen, Ahrenshoop) and will allow an assessment of the impacts of ESA strategies on ecosystems near the coast.