Sustainable development goals: 3 CLIMATE ACTION
The research community is clear: Climate change threatens our entire civilisation. Global warming involves serious consequences for ecosystems, ocean acidification, human security, food production, water availability, health and the increased risk of natural disasters.
Testing urban tree species for a future climate
Not only do large, healthy trees in cities create a beautiful cityscape for urban inhabitants, they also provide many ecosystem services. Climate change means a future climate where heatwaves, droughts and flooding will become more common. The Sustainable trees to promote sustainable cities in a changing climate research project is investigating which tree species can cope with future climate and weather conditions in northern European urban environments. By carrying out greenhouse experiments and field measurements in Gothenburg, researchers can investigate the connections between a wide range of tree traits and species’ tolerance to stress.
The effects of climate change on seaweed
The bladderwrack, Fucus vesiculosus, is considered to be important keystone species for the Baltic Sea and much of the Atlantic Ocean. It creates an important habitat for other species, as well as providing protection for many marine plant and animal species. As part of the Effects of climate change on seaweeds research project, researcher Alexandra Kinnby is investigating how future climate change will affect bladderwrack and marine ecosystems. The aim is to generate knowledge that can help us make better predictions about whether species and ecosystems in these marine areas can survive or adapt to a changing environment.
Driftwood provides new understanding
Taking driftwood from the shores of Svalbard and Greenland as a source, researcher Hans Linderholm and his team can place current Arctic climate change within a long-term perspective. Researchers can date wood and determine its origin using wood anatomy and dendrochronology techniques. Sea ice is needed for trees to be transported to the Arctic Ocean from the Arctic. This gives researchers valuable information about sea ice conditions and ocean currents in the Arctic Ocean, providing useful knowledge when calculating how the Arctic will be affected by a warmer climate with less sea ice.
Text: Linnéa Magnusson
Illustration: Erika Hoff
