A reestablishment of Fucus vesiculosus where it is locally vanished would be an indicator for improved water quality. Thus the Agency for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Areas of Schleswig - Holstein (LLUR) is thinking about opportunities to resettle F. vesiculosus. On behalf of RADOST project, the tolerance of early fucoid life stages towards thermal stress was analysed and after four days of thermal treatment a high percentage of the treated fucoid offspring survived. It might be that inside species genotypes exist which are less sensitive against future environmental changes.
Over the last decades, Fucus vesiculosus, an ecologically important macroalga in the German Baltic Sea, has shown a massive retreat from the deeper zones of its former distribution presumably due to low light co-acting with other potential stressors such as high temperature, fouling, and grazing. In shallow water F. vesiculosus may be exposed to high water temperatures during summer seasons. Intensity and frequency of heat waves are expected to increase due to climate change which could potentially affect all fucoid life stages. Early life stage processes (fertilization, germination) are often considered particularly sensitive to stress. If the mortality caused by a first heat wave in a genetically diverse population selects for stress resistance, we would expect the survivors to be less sensitive to a second heat wave or possibly even to other stressors like feeding pressure.
In the present study, the mortality of early post-settlement stages of F. vesiculosus under thermal stress and the sensitivity of survived recruits against a proximate stressor (feeding pressure, second heat wave) were analysed by laboratory experiments. The mortality of early fucoid life stages at 25°C, compared to their mortality at 15°C was significantly higher. Regrettably, the ensuing assessment of feeding impact by Idotea baltica and Hydrobia ulvae on the surviving germlings could not be analysed since the two consumer species unexpectedly avoided feeding on the young stages of F. vesiculosus. During the second thermal stress experiment fucoid offspring which was genetically preselected by high temperature (first heat wave: 25°C) differed not significantly in sensitivity from fucoid offspring without prior stress.
The Freese Organic Farm is testing a number of adaptation options for agriculture, especially in the area of the cultivation of cereals and of high-quality vegetables. Open-field crop farming is becoming ever more difficult due to climate change. In order to better protect vegetable cultures from such extreme weather events as heat waves or heavy rain, the Freese Organic Farm is testing the following innovations: (1) A new greenhouse covering which, due to its particular permittivity, makes open-field-like light conditions possible in a protected structure. At the same time the farm is seeking resilient, climate adapted vegetable strains which are to be examined for their particular properties, both in open-field cultivation and under the protection of this innovative foil. (2) In the area of cereal raising, the organic farm is trying to cultivate an old strain of rye. (3) And by baking and marketing bread from this rye, the farm wants to raise consciousness about the issue of climate change and adaptation.
In order to initiate the design, communication and implementation of the transformation to a lowconflict and climate-adapted land-use system, the Centers of Competence e.V. organized three events in the context of nordwest2050 between 2010 and 2013. In cooperation with the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, a dialogue was initiated in which heterogeneity of the issues and the various interests of the actors on the issue of land-use was discussed and a solution-oriented manner. At the second and largest event, in February 2013, the »Aurich Declaration,« a regional statement on the most important land-use problems, and concrete approaches to solutions, was adopted. It is represented and supported by a wide range of authors from the region.
Content:
Climate Change at the Baltic Sea Coast – The RADOST Project;
RADOST Annual Conference 2010;
Regional Activities:
Extractive Polyculture in the Kiel Fjord;
Kick-off meeting – RADOST focus network “Conservation and Land Use”;
Baltic Tourism Network for Climate Change Adaption is launched;
Kick-off for RADOST pilot projects for drainage management;
Geographic Information System (GIS) for RADOST online;
Stakeholder and institutional analysis in RADOST;
International Activities:
RADOST Side Event in Copenhagen;
Transatlantic Media Dialogue regarding;
Climate Policy in Europe and the US;
BaltCICA: 1st International Conference;
Dinner Dialogue;
Publications
Content:
Regional Activities:
Already adapted?
German coastal associations tackle climate change;
The IMK in RADOST;
Action Day in Rostock;
Climate Alliance Kiel Bay is launched;
First annual RADOST conference;
An Introduction to the RADOST advisory board;
Climate change on the German Baltic Sea coast;
International Activities:
Dinner Dialogue on America’s Climate Choices;
Global Oceans Conference 2010;
Publications
Content:
Regional Activities:
Symposium: Beach management;
The significance of regional networks;
Hanse Sail Business Forum;
RADOST-Workshop on Network Building;
Investing in beaches – Adaptation activities in Kühlungsborn;
Conference on extreme weather events;
International Activities:
UN Climate Change Conference in Cancún;
New project: Regional availability of climate data;
Summer School in Warnemünde;
Publications
Content:
Regional Activities:
Artificial Reefs as a Coastal Protection Measure and Diving Area;
Meadows and Forests in the Baltic Sea: RADOST Event at the LLUR;
Rocks for the Algae Forest;
Workshop ´´Municipal Coastal Protection under Modified Climate Conditions´´;
The Beach as Air Conditioner;
RADOST Workshop on Coastal Tourism in Hamburg;
International Activities:
RADOST at the UN Climate Conference in Cancún;
Using Synergies – the New Project BALTADAPT;
Publications:
First RADOST Annual Report Now Online;
Book Publication on the Impacts of Global Change on the Baltic Region
Content:
Regional Activities:
RADOST Annual Conference 2011 in Travemünde;
Research at Anchor;
Stakeholder Analysis;
RADOST-Workshop “Coastal Tourism”;
BSSSC/BALTEX Conference “Adaptation to Climate Change
on the Regional Level”;
Workshop “Baltic Sea and Baltic Sea Coast between Climate Change and Climate Adaptation”;
Mussel Workshop at the Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde;
International Activities:
Climate Change, the Science Policy Interface and Coastal Zone Management;
Workshops on Regional Availability of Climate Knowledge in the Baltic Sea Region
Content:
Regional Activities:
“Lust op dat Meer:” Conclusion and Challenges Ahead;
Quo Vadis – Baltic Sea Coast?
The Sense behind Measurement;
National Activities:
KLIMZUG Status Conference;
New Funding Opportunity for Adaptation Measures;
Communication with Public Agencies and Offices;
International Activities:
Workshop Series: “Climate Knowledge for Regional Coastal
Stakeholders in the Eastern Baltic Sea Region”;
Mussel Farming in the Baltic Sea;
Publications:
Second RADOST Annual Report;
A survey of the perceptions of regional political decision makers