BALTEX—an interdisciplinary research network for the Baltic Sea region

BALTEX—an interdisciplinary research network for the Baltic Sea region

BALTEX is an environmental research network dealing with the Earth system of the entire Baltic Sea drainage basin. Important elements include the water and energy cycle, climate variability and change, water management and extreme events, and related impacts on biogeochemical cycles. BALTEX was foun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental research letters 2011-10, Vol.6 (4), p.45205
Main Authors: Reckermann, Marcus, Langner, Joakim, Omstedt, Anders, von Storch, Hans, Keevallik, Sirje, Schneider, Bernd, Arheimer, Berit, Markus Meier, H E, Hünicke, Birgit
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Atmospheric models
Biogeochemical cycles
Biogeochemistry
Climate change
Climate models
Climate variability
Drainage
Drainage basins
Earth and Related Environmental Sciences
Economic models
Ecosystem models
Environment models
Environmental impact
Environmental research
Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap
Hydrologic cycle
Hydrology
Interdisciplinary research
Interdisciplinary studies
Regional development
Water management
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Summary:BALTEX is an environmental research network dealing with the Earth system of the entire Baltic Sea drainage basin. Important elements include the water and energy cycle, climate variability and change, water management and extreme events, and related impacts on biogeochemical cycles. BALTEX was founded in 1993 as a GEWEX continental-scale experiment and is currently in its second 10yr phase. Phase I (1993–2002) was primarily dedicated to hydrological, meteorological and oceanographic processes in the Baltic Sea drainage basin, hence mostly dealt with the physical aspects of the system. Scientific focus was on the hydrological cycle and the exchange of energy between the atmosphere, the Baltic Sea and the surface of its catchment. The BALTEX study area was hydrologically defined as the Baltic Sea drainage basin. The second 10yr phase of BALTEX (Phase II: 2003–12) has strengthened regional climate research, water management issues, biogeochemical cycles and overarching efforts to reach out to stakeholders and decision makers, as well as to foster communication and education. Achievements of BALTEX Phase II have been the establishment of an assessment report of regional climate change and its impacts on the Baltic Sea basin (from hydrological to biological and socio-economic), the further development of regional physical climate models and the integration of biogeochemical and ecosystem models. BALTEX features a strong infrastructure, with an international secretariat and a publication series, and organizes various workshops and conferences. This article gives an overview of the BALTEX programme, with an emphasis on Phase II, with some examples from BALTEX-related research.
ISSN:1748-9326
1748-9326