We use cutting-edge technologies and methods to study the impacts of extreme events on coastal and marine ecosystems. These include observation systems, biogeochemical models and data analytics. By integrating knowledge and data, we work with stakeholders to develop effective adaptation and mitigation strategies that protect and promote the biodiversity and functioning of these important ecosystems. By integrating historical data and current observations, these models are validated to enable accurate predictions and build resilience to marine extreme events.

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Transdisciplinary Living Labs

The living labs Wremen (Lower Saxony) and Nordstrand (Schleswig-Holstein) are spaces of collaboration and at the same time social testing grounds. They are places where local communities, academia, practitioners and administration come together to jointly tackle the challenges of dealing with place-specific marine natural hazards – challenges that affect all parts of society. The living labs generate actionable knowledge and test potential solutions in real-world environments, all with the aim of enhancing societal resilience.

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Cross-disciplinary work is primarily driven by two committees at each location. One is the Living Lab Team which is composed of representatives from the diverse village communities and their local administration. The Living Lab Team proposed initial solutions to local, self-identified challenges in community-based disaster risk management. The other is the Living Lab Advisory Board which consists of regional experts in coastal protection, disaster management, and nature conservation. This committee bridges the gap between theory and practice in coastal and flood protection, not least by collaborating with researchers across METAscales disciplines. The Living Lab Teams and the Advisory Boards are closely interconnected through overlapping membership; there is also a lively exchange between them with the objective of jointly generating the most effective practical knowledge for action.

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