WADcouple Project Aims to Integrate Scientific Insights on Climate and Biodiversity Pressures in the Wadden Sea

WADcouple Project Aims to Integrate Scientific Insights on Climate and Biodiversity Pressures in the Wadden Sea

(IN BRIEF) The Netherlands and Germany have launched the WADcouple coordination and knowledge transfer project with €650,000 in joint funding as part of an international research programme focused on understanding environmental and human pressures affecting the Wadden Sea. The initiative brings together five interdisciplinary research projects examining climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and sustainable ecosystem management. Researchers aim to integrate scientific insights, support policymaking and strengthen trilateral cooperation between the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark to protect the internationally significant Wadden Sea region.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 20-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — A new international coordination and knowledge transfer initiative focused on the future of the Wadden Sea has officially been launched as part of a broader research programme examining the growing environmental and human pressures affecting the region.

Under the thematic programme “Understanding complex pressures on the Wadden Sea and perspectives for action” within the Dutch Research Agenda framework, the Netherlands and Germany have jointly allocated €650,000 to support the new coordination and transfer project. The initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration between five ongoing interdisciplinary research projects already operating under the programme.

The research programme focuses on expanding scientific understanding of how climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and human economic activity are affecting the Wadden Sea ecosystem. Researchers are also examining the social and economic consequences for local communities while exploring practical pathways toward sustainable management and environmental resilience.

The programme was established in two phases. The first phase funded five international scientific research consortia involving institutions from the Netherlands and Germany. These projects include PaRCA, which studies climate adaptation pathways in the Wadden Sea; SedWay, which examines sedimentary processes and biodiversity protection; TRICMA², which focuses on the combined impact of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution on salt marshes; SALTGARDEN, which investigates adaptive ecological landscapes; and WADWAD, which explores ecosystem-based land-sea transition zones.

The second phase enabled the funded projects to jointly submit a proposal for a coordination and transfer initiative, resulting in the launch of the new WADcouple project.

The project, titled “Wadden Sea knowledge co-creation for the effective use of scientific insights for policy and learning for sustainability,” is led by Diana Giebels and Frans Sijtsma. The initiative aims to combine scientific findings from the various projects while integrating ecological and social perspectives through active collaboration with businesses, policymakers and regional stakeholders.

Researchers involved in WADcouple are developing online tools and collaborative learning methods intended to improve understanding of the complex environmental pressures affecting the Wadden Sea region and to help support evidence-based policymaking.

The official launch of the project took place during the programme’s mid-term meeting held on May 6 and 7, 2026. The event brought together nearly 100 participants from research institutions, government bodies and stakeholder organisations to discuss scientific progress, future collaboration opportunities and potential societal impact.

A central theme of the discussions focused on how the research aligns with the Outstanding Universal Values associated with the Wadden Sea’s UNESCO World Heritage status, as well as the Guiding Principle established in Sylt in 2010, which aims to preserve the region as a natural and sustainable ecosystem where ecological processes can continue with minimal disruption.

Participants also highlighted the importance of trilateral cooperation between the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, given that the Wadden Sea ecosystem spans all three countries and requires coordinated international management and research efforts.

The event was organised by the German federal government in cooperation with the Dutch Research Council.

The Dutch Research Agenda programme places strong emphasis on cooperation between scientists, governments, citizens and civil society organisations, with the goal of ensuring that scientific research contributes both to academic advancement and to practical societal outcomes.

Media Contacts:

Renno Hokwerda
Policy officer
+31 6 23625822
waddensea@nwo.nl

Dr. Christian Stolle
Programme – and project officer Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH | Project Management Jülich (PtJ)
+49 381 20356275
c.stolle@fz-juelich.de

SOURCE: NWO