Baltic Sea ice and environmental and societal implications from the comparative analysis of the Bay of Bothnia and the Gulf of Riga

Abstract

Lépy, Élise (2012). Baltic Sea ice and environmental and societal implications from the comparative analysis of the Bay of Bothnia and the Gulf of Riga. Fennia 190: 2, pp. 90-101. ISSN 1798-5617. This article contributes to many studies on sea ice often carried out by geophysicists and rarely by geographers. Thus, it aims to understand climatic and marine processes of ice formation and break-up of littoral waters and coastal sea, and their environmental, economic and societal consequences in the Baltic Sea. The interest of this research lies in the comparative analysis of two regions: the Bay of Bothnia and the Gulf of Riga. These two case studies are politically, economically and culturally different and help to understand the diversity of reactions and adaptations to the human management of the natural constraint imposed by sea ice phenomena. By using a systemic approach, quite common when studying geographical issues of nature and societies, the work has contributed to a better knowledge of the natural environment of Baltic Sea ice showing a significant interannual variability and a spatial internal diversity of sea ice conditions in the Baltic Sea. It also raises the questions of the environmental determinism which is rejected by the remarkable adaptability of coastal population. Finally, the socio-economic implications of historical changes of sea ice features are emphasized showing that future Baltic Sea ice conditions should be carefully considered when talking about global evolution.

Human-environment relationships in modern and postmodern geography

“…These emerging issues have constituted a real challenge for geography. In the past decades, due to Holocene research and new scientifi c methods, the investigation of human impact on natural environment became an important topic (Builth, H. et al 2008;Lépy, É. 2012).…”

“…They would like to understand how the individuals can manipulate their own situations in the ecological, structural and cultural framework, in which they live (Judkins, G. et al 2008). Despite the popularity of deterministic approach between laics and politicians, the scientific community investigates the human-environment relationships rather from an ecological point of view (Builth, H. et al 2008;Lépy, É. 2012;Raymond, C.M.…”

Analysis of the Spatio-Temporal Variability of Air Temperature Near the Ground Surface in the Central Baltic Area from 2005 to 2019

“…The change in the thermal regime of the Baltic Sea is extremely important, as it has a significant impact on economic activity, especially during the cold season. In the central part of the Baltic Sea, the formation of ice cover and the extent of its distribution have a particularly strong impact, affecting fishery and port activities and the safety of navigation in Russia, Finland, Estonia, and Sweden [42][43][44].…”