Potentials for Spartina anglica extension were studied in relation to the future tidal reduction in the Osterschelde Estuary. On a mudflat, experiments were carried out to investigate the possibility of a natural seaward spread of Spartina in relation to (1) elevation of the sites, (2) burying depth of the seed and (3) sedimentation/erosion processes. It is concluded that, apart from various factors that affect the amount of viable seed from year to year, wave action is the main agent controlling the natural spread of Spartina in the Oosterschelde. As there is no evidence that wave actions will become more moderate due to the tidal reduction, no large-scale invasion of the tidal mudflats by Spartina is expected.
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