The 15th International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium—the challenge of talking about real nature in a virtual environment
Following the long history of the International Wadden Sea Symposium, which was launched in 1975, the 15th edition was a very special one. The symposium entitled “Importance of Science for the management of the Wadden Sea World Heritage in the context of climate change” took place from 30 November to 2 December 2021, at a time when the coronavirus pandemic dominated all human activity worldwide, including the way scientific knowledge was shared. Since it was not possible for participants to meet in person, there were only two options: cancel the symposium or use a virtual platform. The organisers of the National Park Authority in Schleswig Holstein (Germany) with the support of the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat opted for option two, which was a good decision but presented a huge challenge. However, it was the only possible strategy for maintaining the important and intensive exchange within the trilateral scientific Wadden Sea community and for strengthening the Wadden Sea Cooperation, thereby setting the course for future research priorities and improved protection of the Wadden Sea. Despite the unusual format, it was intensively accepted and more than 200 participants joined the symposium on the virtual platform. Around fifty oral presentations and more than twenty posters, as well as breakout groups organised into six thematic sessions (1. Birds 2. Marine mammals 3. Alien species 4. Sublittoral habitats 5. Sustainable development 6. International perspective) formed the basis for discussions, cooperations and the development of visions on an overarching and interdisciplinary level. This intensive exchange between scientists, managers, politicians and nature conservation organisations resulted in recommendations for science and management, which are traditionally a product of each scientific Wadden Sea Symposium.
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