Summary

What are the processes and mechanisms relevat for stability properties in the Wadden Sea ecosystem? as part of the “Ecosystem Research Wadden Sea”, the interdisciplinary project ELAWAT (“Resilience of the Wadden Sea Ecosystem”) was carried out from 1993 to 1997 to increase te understanding of processes essential for regeneration and ecological relations within ecosystem.temporal and spatial distribution pattern of abiotic and biotic components were investigated as well as the regeneration following natural and expirementally induced disturbances.The main study was the backbarrier system of the island of Spiekeroog in the East frisian Wadden Sea and two tidal flat areas therein, the Gröninger Plate and Swinnplate,were studied in detail.This book covers a synthesis of the results of this project and provides a case study on the ecology of an intertidal backbarrier system.