Lower Saxony mainland coast (DE)
Location: East Frisian mainland coast, Germany
Case study lead: NLWKN
Constituent systems: Coast, infrastructure networks
In Lower Saxony, the largest German federal state on the North Sea coast, mostly a single sea dike line forms the protection of extended coastal lowlands against storm surges. On significant stretches
of the coast salt marshes are present as dike foreland, which in combination with the dike form the coastal protection system. The current emphasis in flood prevention is on the loading of the dike
during storm surges. Yet the foreland represents an important element of coastal protection and its presence plays an important role both in the experience of the coast by the general public and in
case of a dike breach. Hence, ideally dike foreland and hinterland should be considered as one system.
In this case study, the main aim will be to examine the significance and the management of
the dike foreland and creating multiple benefits in the light of climate change adaptation. This case will involve sectors such as nature conservation and flood risk management. Stakeholders
will include dike and water boards, municipalities, the national park authority, tourism association and NGO’s.