Temporal development of coastal ecosystems in the Baltic Sea over the past two decades

Olsson, Jens; Tomczak, Maciej; Ojaveer, Henn; Gårdmark, Anna; Põllumäe, Arno; Müller‐Karulis, Bärbel; Ustups, Didzis; Dinesen, Grete E.; Peltonen, Heikki; Putnis, Ivars; Szymanek, Lena; Simm, Mart; Heikinheimo, Outi; Gasyukov, Pavel; Axe, Philip; Bergström, Lena

doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsv143

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Local differences in the strength and timing of these drivers, and the natural heterogeneity of coastal seas, create far greater variability and change than that seen in the open ocean. Coastal marine ecosystems of the Baltic have changed markedly during the past 40 years, which is partly attributable to local and regional warming and freshening (Olsson et al 2012 ), as well as eutrophication (Olsson et al 2015 ). The role of OA in this context is poorly known, not least because most biologists were unaware of its importance until relatively recently (Gattuso and Hansson 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological and functional consequences of coastal ocean acidification: Perspectives from the Baltic-Skagerrak System

Havenhand

Filipsson

Niiranen

et al. 2018

Ambio

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Ocean temperatures are rising; species are shifting poleward, and pH is falling (ocean acidification, OA). We summarise current understanding of OA in the brackish Baltic-Skagerrak System, focussing on the direct, indirect and interactive effects of OA with other anthropogenic drivers on marine biogeochemistry, organisms and ecosystems. Substantial recent advances reveal a pattern of stronger responses (positive or negative) of species than ecosystems, more positive responses at lower trophic levels and strong indirect interactions in food-webs. Common emergent themes were as follows: OA drives planktonic systems toward the microbial loop, reducing energy transfer to zooplankton and fish; and nutrient/food availability ameliorates negative impacts of OA. We identify several key areas for further research, notably the need for OA-relevant biogeochemical and ecosystem models, and understanding the ecological and evolutionary capacity of Baltic-Skagerrak ecosystems to respond to OA and other anthropogenic drivers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological and functional consequences of coastal ocean acidification: Perspectives from the Baltic-Skagerrak System

Havenhand

Filipsson

Niiranen

et al. 2018

Ambio

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“…Furthermore, the distribution of fish populations is influenced even more by temporal factorse.g. seasonality, yearly fluctuations of physiochemical water conditions including nutrients, as well as climate change (Olsson et al 2015). In relation to the MSP process in Latvia, the mapping of ES provided by pelagic habitats was undertaken by aggregating a 10-year data set on the total landing of fish.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of the marine ecosystem services approach in the development of the maritime spatial plan of Latvia

Veidemane

Ruskule

Strāķe

et al. 2017

International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Servic

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The Maritime Spatial Plan for Internal Waters, Territorial Waters and Economic Exclusive Zone of the Republic of Latvia is a long-term spatial planning document, which defines the permitted uses of the sea and conditions for development. Work on maritime spatial planning (MSP) in Latvia was a novel process from different aspects including incorporation of the concept of ecosystem services (ES) into MSP. In the course of the MSP process, marine ES were mapped and assessed, and impacts of proposed spatial solutions for the use of the sea were assessed. The scope of mapping and assessment of ES was limited by data availability and expert knowledge on marine ecosystems. MSP in Latvia was an open and transparent process with an active involvement of different stakeholder groups. Marine ES assessment results were visualized and used during the public consultations to highlight the marine areas providing the most significant social benefits as well as to facilitate debate about potential impacts arising from proposed uses of the sea. The marine ES approach, in a spatially explicit manner, provided stakeholders and policymakers with a strategic framework to address a complex social-ecological system.

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“…by 45% (Sahla et al, 2020). The conclusion for coastal ecosystems has, however, been that eutrophication, whether being caused solely by anthropogenic nutrient loads, or amplified by climate change, has been the most important pressure affecting the shallow coastal water areas of the Baltic Sea (Olsson et al, 2015).…”

Section: Macroalgae and Vascular Plantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

Viitasalo

Bonsdorff

2021

Preprint

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Abstract. Climate change has multiple direct and indirect potentially synergistic effects on Baltic Sea species, organism communities, and on ecosystem functioning, through physical and biogeochemical environmental characteristics of the sea. Associated indirect and secondary effects on species interactions, trophic dynamics and ecosystem function are expected to be significant. Evidence on effects of climate are compiled from and reviewed for field studies, experimental work, as well as modelling studies primarily from published literature after 2010. The responses vary within and between species groups, even between sibling species. Such subtle differences, as well as secondary feedbacks and altered trophic pathways, make projections difficult. Some common patterns arise from the wealth of recent studies, however. It is likely that the combined effects of increased external nutrient loads, stratification and internal loading will improve the conditions for cyanobacterial blooms in large parts of the Baltic. In the northernmost areas the increasing allochtonous DOM may further complicate the picture by increasing heterotrophy and by decreasing food web efficiency. This effect may, however, be counteracted by the intensification of the bacteria-flagellate-microzooplankton-mesozooplankton link, which may change the system from a bottom-up controlled one to a top-down controlled one. In deep benthic communities, continued eutrophication may promote higher sedimentation of organic matter and increase zoobenthic biomasses, but eventually increasing stratification and hypoxia/anoxia will disrupt benthic-pelagic coupling, leading to reduced benthic biomass. In the photic benthic systems warmer winters with less ice and nutrient increase enhances eutrophication. The projected salinity decline suppresses marine species, and temperature increase overgrowth of perennial macroalgae by annual filamentous alga throughout the growing-season, and major changes in the marine entire ecosystem are expected. The changes in environmental conditions probably also lead to increased establishment of non-indigenous species, potentially affecting food web dynamics in large areas of the Baltic Sea. However, several modelling studies have concluded that nutrient reductions according to the Baltic Sea Action Plan of Helsinki Commission may be a stronger driver for ecosystem functions in the Baltic Sea than climate change. Such studies highlight the importance of studying the Baltic Sea as an interlinked socio-ecological system. Knowledge gaps include uncertainties in projecting the future salinity level as well as stratification under different climate forcings. This weakens our ability to project how overall biodiversity, pelagic productivity, fish populations, and macroalgal communities may change in the future. Experimental work must be better integrated into studies of food web dynamics, to get a more comprehensive view of the responses of the pelagic and benthic systems to climate change, from bacteria to fish. Few studies have holistically investigated the shallow water ecosystems holistically. There are complex climate-induced interactions and multiple feedbacks between algae, grazers and their predators, that are poorly known, as are the effects of non-native invasive species. Finally, both 2D species distribution models and 3D ecosystem models could benefit from better integration of approaches including physical, chemical and biological parameters.

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Temporal development of coastal ecosystems in the Baltic Sea over the past two decades

Cited by 14 publications

References 37 publications

Ecological and functional consequences of coastal ocean acidification: Perspectives from the Baltic-Skagerrak System

Ecological and functional consequences of coastal ocean acidification: Perspectives from the Baltic-Skagerrak System

Application of the marine ecosystem services approach in the development of the maritime spatial plan of Latvia

Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

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