Conceptualizing the Baltic Sea Ecosystem: An Interdisciplinary Tool for Environmental Decision Making

Abstract

There is an increasing call for stronger interdisciplinary studies in the Baltic Sea to find solutions to the environmental and social problems associated with eutrophication. Cooperation between experts from the natural sciences, socioeconomics, and management is needed. One way to solve communication problems is to develop a broad conceptual model that comprehensively describes eutrophication and links causes, effects, and the multiple relationships of eutrophication in a visual way. In the present conceptual model, the eutrophication process is divided into i) causes, ii) primary effects, iii) secondary effects, and iv) socioeconomic responses. Each part is described and discussed separately, with links to the other levels and compartments. Possible pathways are shown through the model from natural science to human society, thus inducing management options. Examples of key publications where the causes and effects are observed and studied in the Baltic Sea are listed as examples, and their implications are discussed.

Artificial Neural Network Analysis of Factors Controlling Ecosystem Metabolism in Coastal Systems

“…Higher phytoplankton biomass in turn leads to increased turbidity in the water column and organic-matter supply to the sediments, often resulting in anoxic bottom waters such as in the Baltic Sea (Bonsdorff et al 2002, Lundberg 2005 and Chesapeake Bay (Cooper and Brush 1991). Nutrient and organic-matter concentrations also influence prokaryotic community composition (Cottrell and Kirchman 2000, Bouvier and del Giorgio 2002, Makino et al 2003.…”

Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea

“…Apart from the intricate array of primary and secondary ecological impacts shown in Fig. 2.1 , nutrient sources are diverse and stem from numerous natural and anthropogenic sources in several sectors, both in the drainage basin in question and on a wider international scale through atmospheric and riverine transport (Lundberg 2005(Lundberg , 2014. The relationships between these socio-economic pressures and the marine ecological state are usually non-linear (Mee 2005 ) and prone to quick and fundamental shifts when thresholds are passed (e.g.…”

“…2.1 ). These may in turn amplify ecological and associated socio-economic impacts, potentially impeding recovery processes (Lundberg 2005 ). Extended hypoxic (low oxygen saturation) or anoxic (complete oxygen defi ciency) bottom areas (so-called dead zones) are key resultant stressors in marine ecosystems , and the Baltic Sea is the largest stressed ecosystem in the world in this respect (Carstensen et al 2014 ;Díaz and Rosenberg 2008 ).…”

Nitrogen processes in coastal and marine ecosystems

“…85 million people the Baltic Sea is strongly impacted by nutrient loading, consequently eutrophication is the major problem of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM, 2004 ). Th e impacts of eutrophication are manifested as various symptoms such as increased nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton biomass, and oxygen defi ciency and elimination of benthic fauna (review by Lundberg, 2005 ).…”