Database of German North Sea Salt Marshes – vegetation and elevation

The Database of German North Sea Salt Marshes (GIVD ID EU-DE-030) comprises 2,691 1m2-plots from German North Sea salt marshes, tracing back to the project “Thematic Mapping and Sensitivity Study of Mudflat Areas in the German Wadden Sea”. Between 1987 and 1991, plots along 121 transects covering the mainland coast of Schleswig-Holstein were investigated for their vascular plant species composition (species presence and percent cover) as well as structural and spatial variables like grazing management, position and elevation in relation to mean high tide. Frequent vegetation-types were Spartinetum anglicae, Puccinellietum maritimae and Festucetum rubrae, and the most frequent species were Puccinellia maritima, Salicornia europaea agg., Spergularia media, Glaux maritima and Festuca rubra. This consistent data set allowed and still aims at determining spatial and geographical differences regarding species diversity, dominance structure and functional traits in relation to driving environmental variables. Our data provide a baseline for future studies of possible changes in biodiversity, vegetation composition and species distribution pattern caused e.g. by invasive plant species, conservation management or sea level rise, which may in turn further improve future salt marsh management.