Subproject 8 is dedicated to the retrospective analysis of the morphodynamic development of mudflats and channels in the East Frisian coastal areas. The aim is to identify and quantitatively assess long-term development trends and the effects of extreme events and anthropogenic interventions on mudflat dynamics.

To this end, historical and current hydrological, hydrographic and morphological data from various institutional archives are being collated and analysed with regard to long-term trends. Among other things, the morphodynamic changes in the tidal basins are being determined and the growth rates of intertidal areas are being estimated.

Further attention is paid to assessing how different data sources, methodologies and spatial resolutions influence the projection results, as well as to the historical analysis of coastal protection strategies for contextualising human interventions.

Process-based numerical simulations using a large-scale morphodynamic model (Delft3D) are used to reconstruct sediment transport paths and assess sediment supply with regard to the potential growth of intertidal areas in line with sea level rise.

The methodological approach combines systematic data synthesis, large-scale numerical modelling and scenario analysis. The results contribute to the understanding of large-scale sediment dynamics and the development of sustainable management strategies. Close cooperation between university and non-university partners integrates scientific expertise, historical data archives and modern modelling approaches to create a sound basis for future coastal protection and adaptation measures.