New overview of the Baltic Sea ecosystem

How is the Baltic Sea really doing? The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) gives an overview in a new publication, with contributions from researchers at the Baltic Sea Centre, among others.

Baltic Sea ecosystem overview infographics from ICES.

Fishing, agriculture and forestry, waste water discharge, shipping and land-based industry are all activities that put pressure on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. This is concluded in the latest overview from ICES. The result of this is that many species and habitats of the Baltic Sea are in bad shape, which affects foodweb functionality and reduces the resilience and resistance against further environmental changes. It also has consequences for the prospects for socioeconomic benefits, including fishing opportunities.

The modelling group BNI at Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre, with special expertise in eutrophication and nutrient dynamics, has contributed to the overview by describing eutrophication pressures and linking them to human activities like agriculture and wastewater.

The overview summarises that:

"While fishing is the main activity impacting the ecosystem via selective extraction of species, agriculture and forestry, together with wastewater discharge, pose the major pressure on the ecosystem through nutrient and organic enrichment. The effects of nutrient enrichment and fisheries are widespread in the ecoregion."

The overview is based on a workshop for the revision of ecosystem overviews of the Baltic Sea Ecoregion (WKBALEO).

Download the overview or the latest report from WKBALEO and have a look at the interactive diagram at ICES website:

Baltic sea ecosystem overview

Last updated: December 4, 2024

Source: Baltic Sea Centre

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