Research group CoastClim – Centre for Coastal Ecosystem and Climate Change Research

CoastClim brings together expertise in modelling, marine ecology, biogeochemistry and atmospheric research as well as policy analysis and communication from:

• Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki
• Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki
• Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre
• Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University
  

We explore the links between climate change and biodiversity, analyse how carbon uptake and emissions of carbon dioxide and a range of short-lived climate forcers (such as methane and volatile organic compounds) differ between healthy and degraded coastal environments in the Baltic Sea.

Our work shows that healthy coastal ecosystems may act as carbon sinks by sequestering carbon dioxide whereas degraded ecosystems may become net sources of greenhouse gases, primarily emitting methane. However, patterns are highly context dependent.

The multidisciplinary expertise in marine ecology, biogeochemistry and atmospheric research enables us to measure feedbacks between coastal biodiversity and the climate. Through combining measurements in sediment, water and air with modelling, the aim is to create a decision-support system to improve the management of coastal ecosystems in our changing world.

Our overarching focus areas:

• Biodiversity and climate research: We explore long-overlooked relationships between coastal biodiversity and the atmosphere.
• Synthesis and modelling: We create ecosystem models to expand our knowledge - from the Baltic Sea to global scales.
• Decision-support: We provide policy-relevant knowledge to stakeholders to help ensure science-based decisions.