Baltic Sea eutrophication:: area-specific ecological consequences

Eutrophication of coastal waters is a global phenomenon. the amounts of nutrients in the brackish water of the Baltic Sea have increased several times during the last century, with severe ecological effects on the biota. With the increasing environmental problems caused by nutrient over-enrichment, public awareness to the problem has also risen. The Baltic Sea cannot be regarded as a uniform water mass, and area-specific ecological responses can be described. Changes in and detection of eutrophication-related parameters are discussed in relation to a generalized conceptual eutrophication model for the Baltic Sea. The cascading trophic and ecosystem-responses to eutrophication in 9 different sub-regions of the Baltic Sea are illustrated and discussed. The results clearly show the need not only for a common remedy for the Baltic Sea, but primarily show the importance of regional ecological assessment in relation to basin-wide eutrophication.