Science has long believed that a warmer climate will increase river runoff to the Baltic Sea, thus making the inland sea less salty. However, a new extensive study reveals that the effect will probably be the opposite: climate change will reduce river runoff and increase salinity in the Baltic Sea.
“There could be major consequences for the Baltic’s sensitive ecosystem,” says researcher Daniel Hansson.

The Baltic is a young, brackish sea with a unique and sensitive ecosystem containing both marine and freshwater species. Researchers have been warning for many years that tiny changes in the salt content could have a major impact on the ecosystem. The basis for the argument has been that a warmer climate will increase river runoff and make the Baltic Sea less salty. Continue reading →