The strategic research programme EcoChange

The strategic research programme EcoChange focuses on the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems. Collaboration between several universities enables unique possibilities to perform holistic syntheses of the effects in the Baltic Sea. The research includes different thematic areas, with the Baltic Sea ecosystem as a common denominator.

EcoChange in a nutshell

Climate change

will effect temperature, salinity and nutrients in the Baltic Sea. Dissolved carbon will increase, which will promote bacteria.

The food web

will not be as efficient as earlier, due to the promotion of bacteria. This can lead to decresed fish production and an increase in contaminants.

The Baltic Sea

with its gradients in salinity and temperature acts as an excellent modell for the effects of climate change in marine systems.

Insight into the research

Mercury in the marine ecosystem

Erik Björn, researcher at Umeå University, studies the different forms of mercury in the marine ecosystem.

Bacteria with a key role in the sea

Jarone Pinhassi, researcher at Linnaeus University, studies the role of bacteria in the Baltic Sea (in Swedish).