The synthesis phase of the research group DynaCom is organized into five synthesis subprojects (SYN 1-5), each focusing on a different aspect of ecological dynamics across environmental gradients. Each synthesis subproject has its specific role working towards the overarching hypotheses.

• SYN 1 investigates ecological transitions along the entire intertidal elevation gradient, from the lowest to the highest shore levels. The project examines changes in species composition and ecosystem functioning.
• SYN 2 investigates how multitrophic food webs in salt marshes assemble and respond to environmental gradients and disturbance.
• SYN 3 investigates microbiome diversity using advanced analytical approaches. It assesses patterns of α- and β-diversity across seasons and elevations to better understand microbiome responses to environmental variation.
• SYN 4 integrates the findings of phase 1 and 2 into a unified trait-based metacommunity framework. A central objective is the development of a size-structured food-web model along stress gradients. The subproject also links trait-based community dynamics with broader macroecological patterns, providing the foundation to the macroecology synthesis subproject SYN 5. 
• SYN 5 synthesizes empirical data and modeling approaches at the scale of the entire island ecosystem. By combining correlative and mechanistic models, it investigates ecological dynamics across trophic levels.