SEAREG - Sea Level Change Effecting the Spatial Development in the Baltic Sea Region

Climate change has lead to the rise of sea levels and changing runoff patterns of rivers in the Baltic Sea region. This can lead to major flooding, soil and water pollution, for example, in the Gdansk and Pärnu areas.

In order to assess the impact of rising sea levels in the Baltic Sea Region, SEAREG developed a decision support system called the Decision Support Frame (DSF). The Decision Support Frame is available on a webpage www.gtk.fi/slr. DSF shows the effects, assesses the impacts and discusses vulnerability aspects of sea level changes in regions and local areas. The four sections of the tool Discussion Platform, Knowledge Base, Modelling & GIS Applications and Vulnerability Assessment, allow users to study the impacts of rising sea levels in other areas of the Baltic Sea region. The DSF will be developed further and will gain popularity as more people are informed and more knowledge is continuously incorporated into this dynamic tool.

The Decision Support Frame is a practical support tool for local and regional planners. It transforms existing data sets from natural scientific research projects into an applicable format for spatial planning.

In addition SEAREG produced three general overview maps demonstrating sea level change scenarios in the Baltic Sea region in the 21st century as well as regional and local sea level rise effect maps and storm surges in all case study areas. The results of SEAREG are taken into account in future planning strategies in partner countries.

The project has initiated a follow-up project, ASTRA, which investigates further impacts of climate change in the region to support the development of climate change adaptation strategies. For more information please see www.astra-project.org.