20 
BSH kompakt 
MEASURABLE 
Signals of climate change in the North and Baltic Seas 
2008 
The winter of 2007/2008 
had the lowest Ice 
formation on record 
since 1720; 
Sea surface temperatures 
in the North Sea were 
about 0.5 degrees 
above the long-term 
average throughout the 
year. In deeper layers 
of the western Baltic 
Sea (up to 40m), they 
were even 2 degrees 
higher; 
Total heat content of the 
North Sea was similarly 
high as the year before 
despite a relatively cold 
summer; 
Temperature changes in 
creasingly affect the 
species spectrum of 
marine flora and fauna; 
For the first time since the 
beginning of records, 
the east and west 
passages of the Arctic 
were navigable at the 
same time; 
Data from the interna 
tional ocean observing 
programme ARGO, 
whose German contri 
bution is being co-ordi 
nated by the BSH, 
confirmed that temp 
eratures in the upper 
500-m layer of the 
North-East Atlantic 
Ocean have risen about 
0.5 degrees since 1998. 
The BSH is in charge of 
78ofthemorethan3000 
ARGO ocean floats. 
A changing global cli 
mate Is one of the biggest 
challenges that science, 
politics and society are 
facing today. The begin 
nings of climate change 
have been apparent for 
some time, also In the 
oceans. Climate 
researchers warn that 
certain effects of global 
warming may already be 
Irreversible. To the BSH, 
this means that ocean 
ographic and ecological 
changes In the North Sea 
and Baltic Sea have to be 
observed and analysed, 
and the results have to be 
made available to others 
who need them.To be 
able to assess possible 
consequences of climate 
change which shipping, 
coasts, and harbours will 
have to adapt to, the BSH 
participates In research, 
climate conferences, and 
climate workshops. 
Eis auf derWarnow 
Ice fomation on 
the river Warnow