Climate impact

Climate change can have various impacts on the area, including:

• Rising temperatures: Increasing global temperatures can lead to warmer water temperatures in the bay. This can affect the ecological balance within the bay, including changes in the distribution and behavior of aquatic species.
• Changing precipitation patterns: Climate change can alter precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent or intense rainfall events. This can result in increased runoff and potential flooding in the surrounding areas, affecting the bay's water quality and ecosystem.
• Sea-level rise: As a consequence of global warming, sea levels are projected to rise over time. This rise in sea level can affect coastal areas, including bays and estuaries. It can lead to coastal erosion, increased vulnerability to storm surges, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater ecosystems, impacting the biodiversity and ecological processes of Asköviken.
• Altered hydrological cycle: Changes in the hydrological cycle, including changes in evaporation rates and precipitation patterns, can impact the water balance in the bay. This can influence water availability, water quality, and the overall functioning of the aquatic ecosystem.
• Shifts in species composition: As temperatures and environmental conditions change, certain species may be more or less suited to the new conditions. This can result in shifts in species composition within the bay, affecting the overall biodiversity and ecological dynamics.

It is important to monitor and study these effects to better understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the area in and around Asköviken and develop strategies for adaptation and resilience.

Part 1 - Knowledge acquisition

Find out:

• What are climate zones and what climate zones exist?
• What climate zones exist in Sweden?
• What are vegetation zones and what are the ones in Sweden?
• What is global warming?
• What causes global warming?
• What is the Gulf Stream?
• How does the Gulf Stream affect the climate?
• How are sea levels affected by climate change?
• What is the difference between freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater in terms of living conditions for animals and plants?

Source material:

• “Kunskapsbanken” Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI (in Swedish, new window)
• Educational material on climate and climate adaptation from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI (in Swedish, new window)
• “Klimatanpassningsportalen”, Climate Adaptation Portal from Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI (in Swedish, new window)

Part 2 - Explore and describe the area around Asköviken

• What is the terrain like (flat, hilly)?
• What types of soil are present?
• What is the vegetation like?
• What is the wildlife like, including microclimates?
• Are there traces of human activity, historically?
• What is the type of land use in the area? Are there any agricultural activities?

Source material:

• “Kunskapsbanken”, Knowledge Bank, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI (in Swedish, new window)
• “Klimatanpassningsportalen”, Climate Adaptation Portal from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI (in Swedish, new window)

Part 3 - Analyze and explain

• What will happen to Asköviken and its surroundings if the global average temperature rises?
• How will the natural and cultural life in the area be affected?
• When is there a risk of Lake Mälaren becoming a brackish water sea, and how would it affect the area?

Part 4 - Analysis and discussion

• What can be done to prevent Asköviken from being affected by global climate change?
• Would all climate changes be negative? Justify.