Abstract
Integrated sediment multiproxy studies and modeling were used to reconstruct past changes in the Baltic Sea ecosystem. Results of natural changes over the past 6000 years in the Baltic Sea ecosystem suggest that forecasted climate warming might enhance environmental problems of the Baltic Sea. Integrated modeling and sediment proxy studies reveal increased sea surface temperatures and expanded seafloor anoxia (in deep basins) during earlier natural warm climate phases, such as the Medieval Climate Anomaly. Under future IPCC scenarios of global warming, there is likely no improvement of bottom water conditions in the Baltic Sea. Thus, the measures already designed to produce a healthier Baltic Sea are insufficient in the long term. The interactions between climate change and anthropogenic impacts on the Baltic Sea should be considered in management, implementation of policy strategies in the Baltic Sea environmental issues, and adaptation to future climate change.
Highlights
Increased human activities in marine and coastal areas have altered marine ecosystems worldwide (Jackson et al 2001; Pandolfi et al 2003; Halpern et al 2008, 2012)
Anthropogenic pressures on the Baltic Sea are very high because almost 90 million people live in its catchment area
More work is necessary to ensure the health of the sea in the future because it has been hypothesized that ongoing global warming and consequent climate changes may affect the Baltic Sea (BACC Author Team 2008) and amplify the existing environmental problems that the Baltic Sea suffers from
Summary
Increased human activities in marine and coastal areas have altered marine ecosystems worldwide (Jackson et al 2001; Pandolfi et al 2003; Halpern et al 2008, 2012). Such activities include marine traffic, overfishing and pollution, and coastal development. Anthropogenic pressures on the Baltic Sea are very high because almost 90 million people live in its catchment area. It is a relatively young semi-enclosed inland sea with brackish waters, which make it a sensitive ecosystem. More work is necessary to ensure the health of the sea in the future because it has been hypothesized that ongoing global warming and consequent climate changes may affect the Baltic Sea (BACC Author Team 2008) and amplify the existing environmental problems that the Baltic Sea suffers from
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