Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre is currently building up “Baltic Eye” – a unique combination of science and communication. Seven new researchers constitute the core scientific staff of this new initiative. This team will, together with three dedicated communication experts and a wide network of international scientists, strengthen society's ability to deal with environmental problems concerning the Baltic Sea ecosystem.

International research about the Baltic Sea ...

Baltic Eye 2
 
 

In February 2013, the Baltic Sea Centre formed a strategic partnership with the foundation BalticSea2020 to build up Baltic Eye for action-oriented analysis, synthesis and communication. Stockholm University performs comprehensive and powerful Baltic Sea research, however, resources for synthesis and communication are not jet on par with basic research.

Therefore, the foundation allocated 20 million SEK per year over a five-year period to the Baltic Eye initiative. Ample funding is also set aside for excellent international workshops, communication events and outreach products to address important issues that can help to find the best solutions for a better environmental state of the Baltic Sea.

... converted into useful knowledge 

The researchers within Baltic Eye will have expertise in seven areas: 

  • Agriculture-Environment Interactions, with focus on agricultural policy, crop and animal production systems, nutrient management measures and its effects on the Baltic Sea.
  • Watershed Dynamics, with focus on nutrient and contaminant fluxes and their management in the Baltic Sea catchment.
  • Chemical Pollution, with focus on Baltic Sea contaminants, their occurrence, fate, effects and regulation.
  • Fisheries, with focus on Baltic Sea fisheries policy and ecosystem approach to fishery management.
  • Marine Habitat Management, with focus on Baltic Sea marine protected areas, spatial planning and management of marine habitats.
  • Marine Sediment Dynamics, with focus on sediment geochemistry, storage and mobilization of carbon, nutrients and contaminants.
  • Water Exchange and Circulation, with focus on physical processes and their relation to the biogeochemical cycles of the Baltic Sea.

The aim is that the team of high-level scientists and communication experts together will provide improved knowledge and decision support for policy makers.