The complexity of the Baltic Sea ecosystem makes it challenging to develop a comprehensive framework for assessing human pressures

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and stated challenges and limitations section and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 6 journals.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• PROTECT BALTIC - Deliverable 3.9 - Estimates for future distribution of species and habitats under climate change (2026) · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · doi

  There is a need to anticipate changes in species distributions, habitat suitability, community composition, and biodiversity patterns in the Baltic Sea due to climate change. There is a lack of spatially explicit estimates of the future distribution of marine species across the Baltic Sea under projected climate change conditions.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there need anticipate changes species distributions habitat suitability
• PROTECT BALTIC - Deliverable 3.4 - Manual for the tool for spatial pressures and impacts of human activities (2026) · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · doi

  The complexity of the Baltic Sea ecosystem makes it challenging to develop a comprehensive framework for assessing human pressures. The lack of data on human activities and ecosystem components is a challenge. The need to simplify the complexity of the ecosystem in the model is a challenge.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: complexity baltic sea ecosystem makes challenging develop comprehensive
• An end-to-end modelling approach to evaluate different facets of climate change on the Eastern channel and southern North Sea ecosystem (2026) · Journal of Marine Systems · doi

  Projecting climate change impacts on marine ecosystems is challenging due to the multiple pressures that act synergistically. Including non-indigenous species in the model is challenging due to the lack of data. Spatially representing the end-to-end ecosystem is challenging due to the complexity of the ecosystem.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: projecting climate change impacts marine ecosystems challenging due
• Spring phytoplankton bloom dynamics reveal thresholds of ocean alkalinity enhancement in the North Sea (2026) · Communications Earth & Environment · doi

  The study was conducted in a mesocosm setting, which may not fully replicate natural conditions. The experiment was limited to a 39-day period, which may not capture long-term effects. The study focused on a specific region, the German North Sea, which may not be representative of other marine ecosystems.

  generallimitations sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study was conducted mesocosm setting fully replicate natural
• The Baltic Sea as a Natural Experiment of Climate Change: From Physical, Chemical and Biological Changes to Ecosystem Responses—Implications for Sustainability (2026) · Sustainability · doi

  The effects of climate change on marine ecosystems are difficult to identify clearly in many regions of the world. The Baltic Sea is a special case, with the effects of climate change and anthropogenic pressures already observed as real, large-scale transformations of physical, chemical, and biological conditions. There is a need to integrate climatic, physical, chemical, and biological knowledge into marine management strategies.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: effects climate change marine ecosystems difficult identify clearly
• Combined effects of climate and anthropogenic change on habitat suitability and distribution of threatened marine species in China’s coastal waters (2026) · Frontiers in Marine Science · doi

  Further research is needed to evaluate the impacts of other anthropogenic stressors on marine species, - studies should investigate the synergistic effects of climate change and anthropogenic stressors on marine ecosystems, - research should focus on developing effective conservation strategies for threatened marine species

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: further research needed evaluate impacts other anthropogenic stressors
• Causes and threats of ice shoves on lagoon coasts: a case study of the Vistula Lagoon in January 2024, southern Baltic Sea (2026) · Frontiers in Marine Science · doi

  Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of ice piling on coastal ecosystems, - Studies should investigate the impact of climate change on ice cover and ice shove events in the Baltic Sea region, - Research should focus on developing strategies for mitigating the effects of ice shoves on coastal infrastructure

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: further research needed understand long-term effects ice piling
• Climate-induced coastal hazards, impacts and adaptation strategies in Global South countries: a review (2026) · Discover Environment · doi

  Further research is needed to develop effective adaptation strategies. Studies should investigate the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to climate-induced hazards. Research should focus on the development of comprehensive assessments of the impacts of climate-induced coastal hazards.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 3/5
  Keywords: further research needed develop effective adaptation strategies studies

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