The Baltic Sea of the future (classes 10 to 13)

Changes of the baltic sea through anthropogenic impact

The impact of humankind will lead to massive changes of the ecosystem baltic sea. At the German baltic sea coast, we expect warming of 2 °C to 4 °C in the next 100 years, for instance. The increased CO₂-concentrations, caused by anthropogenic climate change, will also lead to acidification of the baltic sea. Further, researches suggest increasingly precipitation which decreases the salinity of the inland sea. Eutrophication has already caused algal blooms and lack of oxygen for decades.

Which effects do these changes have on the ecosystem baltic sea?

This question is examined in the program . In the ocean:lab, students gain insight into current research of future changes of the baltic sea. Through different experiments, they investigate effects of the factors warming, acidification, eutrophication and salinity on several benthic organisms. In addition, we use a newly developed computer simulation to explain interactions of organisms. Far-reaching changes of ecosystems over time can also be shown.