components of the ecosystem in the Wadden Sea — an extensive intertidal zone that stretches along the coast from the Netherlands to Denmark, taking in many German estuaries. The team analysed the effect of both natural and experimentally induced disturbances, and how stability of the organisms depends on mechanisms like high functional diversity, reproductive output and mobility. Dittmann's monitoring work in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth also uses experimental disturbances, relocating benthic macroinvertebrates such as polychaete worms, amphipods and micro-bivalves to sites of different salinity and exposure. This study concluded that a reduction in salinity and increase in water levels is needed to recolonise mudflats. References External links Profile page, Flinders University Publications on Google Scholar Australian scientists Australian women scientists Australian marine biologists University of Göttingen alumni Women zoologists German emigrants to Australia Living people Year of birth missing (living people)