The Wadden Sea Ecosystem: Stability, Properties and Mechanisms

The authors present results of an interdisciplinary research project on stability properties and mechanisms in the Wadden Sea ecosystem. The book describes distribution patterns of abiotic and biotic components over space and time and their regeneration following experimentally induced and natural disturbances. Changes in patterns over time were analysed with multivariate statistics and ecological models. Stability properties varied with the respective variable and scale. Stability mechanisms of the organisms include a high functional diversity, high reproductive output and high mobility. Recommendations for future research and consideration of stability mechanisms for the management of a dynamic system are also given.