Publications
Weichselian history of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet centre, Kvarken archipelago, western Finland—flow shifts, thermal regime and deglaciation
A rapid collapse of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet (FIS) occurred during the Early Holocene, triggered by abrupt warming and intense meltwater activity. This study reveals a sequence of six ice-flow stages in the Kvarken archipelago where postglacial uplift exposes well-preserved glacial landforms. Striation data from 700 sites indicate minimal bedrock erosion during stable ice sheet phases (MIS 4 and MIS 3/2), but a <400-year pulse of subglacial activity around 10.7–10.5 ka led to widespread erosion, flow shifts, and the formation of new landforms like megaflutings and drumlins. The ice margin retreated at unprecedented rates (200–1000 m/year), leaving De Geer moraines in deep water before final deglaciation. This case study highlights centennial-scale changes at the ice sheet bed, offering insights into past ice sheet instability and its response to climate shifts.
Assessing the epistemic dimension of people–place relationships for inclusive ecosystem governance
A strong connection between people's knowledge and their emotional bonds to place, termed 'epistemic bonding,' significantly influences perceptions of ecosystem governance. This study found that higher epistemic bonding correlates with long-term residency, family history in the area, and a more negative stance towards official nature protection in Finland. By analyzing survey data from 306 residents of the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site, researchers demonstrated that epistemic bonding is closely tied to place dependence and identity. This concept highlights how diverse ways of knowing shape responses to environmental decision-making, emphasizing the need for inclusive governance that recognizes multiple forms of knowledge.
Trends in coastal fish stocks of the Baltic Sea
A significant increase in perch and roach catches was observed in the archipelago regions of the Sea of Åland and Archipelago Sea, likely due to ongoing coastal eutrophication. Conversely, opposite trends were noted in two areas of the Gulf of Bothnia and two Swedish coastal areas of the Baltic Proper. The Curonian Lagoon's fish community is severely impacted by human activity, while indications of reduced eutrophication emerged in the Gulf of Riga. High fishing pressure during the 1990s led to a collapse of coastal fish stocks in the West-Estonian archipelago. This study analyzed long-term trends (9–20 years) in Baltic Sea fish populations using multi-mesh gill nets and gill net series, providing insights into population status and community dynamics.
Ladoga-Lake-Area Lambeosaurus Capture by A Falling Black Hole, and Its Re-Emergence Through Hydrated Lateral Extrusion, Explanation of The Scandinavian Peninsula and of the Finnish Lakes as Well as of the Low-Ob’s Delta and of the Novaya Zemlya
A groundbreaking study proposes that the geological formations of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Finnish lakes, and northern Russian landscapes were shaped by the catastrophic capture of two Lambeosauridae dinosaurs into a small black hole descending from the Moon. The research suggests that these creatures, drawn into the Earth's mantle, triggered seismic and eruptive processes that reshaped the region's topography, including the Urals and Novaya Zemlya. Additionally, the study explains ongoing subsidence in the Turun Saaristo and Kvarken archipelagos, along with oil reserves on Norway's coast. The hypothesis combines astrophysical and geological mechanisms to provide a novel explanation for the area's unique features.
The air temperature change effect on water quality in the Kvarken Archipelago area
Rising air temperatures in the Kvarken Archipelago, Finland's UNESCO World Heritage site, are linked to significant changes in water quality. A 61-year analysis revealed strong correlations between air temperature and water temperature (Pearson’s r = 0.897, P < 0.0001), with increases in April and July indirectly boosting chlorophyll-a levels—a marker of phytoplankton growth—particularly in June (slope = 0.391, R² = 0.469, P < 0.0001). While the study suggests indirect effects on water quality, further research is needed to fully understand long-term impacts. The findings highlight the need for monitoring climate-driven shifts in this ecologically sensitive region.
Place‐embedded agency: Exploring knowledge–place connections for enabling plurality in governance of social–ecological systems
Research on the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals that integrating local knowledge and place-belonging can enhance inclusive governance of social-ecological systems. The study identifies five types of knowledge-place connections, which shape diverse positions on resource management. These connections influence interactions between actors inside and outside formal decision-making processes, highlighting the concept of 'place-embedded agency.' Recognizing this agency can help overcome tensions and promote plurality in governance, fostering more inclusive and effective management strategies.
Should Swedish sea level planners worry more about mean sea level rise or sea level extremes?
Swedish coastal spatial planning should prioritize sea level extremes over mean sea level rise for short-term (decades-long) planning, while long-term (century-end) strategies must account for the risk of high sea level rise. Current methods underestimate flood risks by ignoring projection and emission scenario uncertainties, time dependence, and extreme events. This study applies enhanced methods to Swedish coastal locations, revealing that extreme events dominate flood risk in shorter timeframes, whereas sustained high sea levels pose greater threats over longer periods. These findings underscore the need for adaptive planning to mitigate future flood risks effectively.
Three Decades of Changing Nutrient Stoichiometry from Source to Sea on the Swedish West Coast
Over the past three decades, freshwater ecosystems along the Swedish west coast have undergone significant shifts in macronutrient stoichiometry, moving further from the Redfield Ratio—a benchmark for balanced nutrient ratios—and becoming increasingly carbon-rich while depleted in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). This trend, observed across 20 lakes and watercourses ranging from headwaters to river mouths, is driven by declines in inorganic N and total P, alongside rising organic carbon (C), likely influenced by reductions in atmospheric deposition and land cover changes. Notably, lakes act as buffers against C increases, while decreases in inorganic N are most pronounced under arable land cover. The study also identifies a consistent decline in phosphorus concentrations in small forest lakes—a phenomenon termed 'oligotrophication'—highlighting complex, unexplained ecological changes. These findings suggest that long-term nutrient shifts may contribute to detrimental changes in adjacent coastal ecosystems, offering critical insights for managing aquatic systems in Europe and North America.
Chernobyl still with us: 137Caesium activity contents in seabed sediments from the Gulf of Bothnia, northern Baltic Sea
Elevated levels of 137Caesium (137Cs) from the Chernobyl nuclear accident persist in subsurface sediments across the Gulf of Bothnia, Baltic Sea, despite overall declines due to radioactive decay. Highest concentrations (>4000 Bq kg−1) are found in coastal and estuarine areas, which also face significant anthropogenic pressure. The study analyzed 56 sediment cores, revealing that post-Chernobyl sedimentation rates ranged from 0.1 to 4.8 cm/year, averaging 0.54 cm/year. These findings highlight the lingering environmental impact of Chernobyl and underscore the utility of 137Cs in tracking sedimentation rates. The research provides critical insights into the long-term ecological consequences of nuclear fallout in marine ecosystems.
Animated visualization of post-glacial land uplift and shore displacement from modeled paleotopographic reconstructions
A high-quality, automated animation of post-glacial land uplift and shore displacement has been developed for the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a dynamic visualization of these geodynamic processes from 10,500 years ago to 1000 years in the future. The 4K-resolution, 80-second animation, rendered at 40 fps, simplifies paleotopographic reconstructions while maintaining alignment with geological data. This approach provides an innovative tool for communicating complex geodynamic phenomena, contributing to cartographic representation and educational outreach.
Enrichment of trace metals from acid sulfate soils in sediments of the Kvarken Archipelago, eastern Gulf of Bothnia, Baltic Sea
Trace metals from acid sulfate soils, delivered by rivers in western Finland, have been found to significantly enrich sediments in the Kvarken Archipelago of the Baltic Sea. This enrichment, particularly noticeable since the 1960s due to artificial drainage, extends at least 25 km seaward and is likely causing detrimental effects on marine biota more than 12 km from river mouths. The study identifies a key mechanism for metal transport: the transformation of dissolved organic matter and metals into metal-organic aggregates, alongside co-precipitation with manganese oxyhydroxides. Additionally, terrestrial organic carbon constitutes a substantial portion (39–48%) of total organic carbon in these sediments, underscoring the importance of riverine organic matter supply. These findings are critical for assessing environmental risks and managing sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Geographical diversity in the occurrence of extreme sea levels on the coasts of the Baltic Sea
Extreme sea levels in the Baltic Sea exhibit significant geographical diversity, with the highest and most prolonged extreme highs occurring in the Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Riga, and Bothnian Bay, while the Western Baltic, including Mecklenburg and Kiel Bays, experiences frequent low sea levels and deep negative storm surges. The study analyzed hourly sea level data from 37 tide gauges between 1960 and 2010, identifying eight sub-basins with distinct fluctuation patterns using cluster analysis. It further assessed the intensity and frequency of extreme sea levels, considering factors like cyclone exposure, bathymetry, and gauge location relative to open waters. The findings highlight that the Swedish coasts of the Central and Northern Baltic are least exposed to both high and low extremes, with fewer storm surges annually.
Past and Future Sea Level Changes and Land Uplift in the Baltic Sea Seen by Geodetic Observations
In the UNESCO-listed High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago, land uplift reaches up to 10 mm per year, with the terrain rising approximately 80 cm over the past century. This dynamic process, driven by post-glacial rebound, is counterbalancing sea level rise, which future projections suggest could vary significantly—from a potential 75 cm of relative sea level fall (land emergence) to 30 cm of rise by 2100. The study leverages continuous GNSS time series, absolute gravity measurements, and tide gauge data to quantify current uplift rates and probabilistic scenarios for future changes, providing critical insights for understanding geodynamic processes in the Baltic Sea region.
Rocky pine forests in the High Coast Region in Sweden: structure, dynamics and history
Rocky pine forests in Sweden's High Coast Region exhibit old-growth characteristics with low human impact, featuring diverse tree structures, frequent fires every 40 years, and dead wood dating back over 300 years. These forests, representing a regionally common yet understudied natural forest type, were analyzed through measurements of tree sizes, ages, fire scars, and dead wood volumes across eight sites. The study found sparse but varied tree layers with some trees exceeding 300 years in age, alongside low but ecologically significant dead wood volumes (4.4 m³/ha). Fires, primarily occurring between 1500-1900, were often small-scale and site-specific. These findings underscore the forests' naturalness and value as habitats for sun-exposed dead wood-dependent organisms, suggesting that restoration fires could be a viable management strategy while protecting existing dead wood.
Making post-glacial uplift visible: A model based high-resolution animation of shore displacement
A groundbreaking high-resolution animation reveals the dynamic nature of post-glacial uplift and shore displacement in the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage site, where land rises at rates exceeding 8 mm per year. The study employed a mathematical model to transform digital elevation models (DEMs) over ~9300 years, integrating LiDAR-derived DEMs from Finland and Sweden with bathymetric data of the Gulf of Bothnia. By leveraging geophysical uplift rate surfaces and ancient shoreline observations, researchers derived an exponential model that accurately describes the non-linear correlation between elapsed time and land uplift. The animation, rendered at 4K resolution with a five-year interval between frames, provides a visually intuitive representation of this decelerating phenomenon, highlighting regional differences in post-glacial history. While future improvements may include removing post-glacially developed features like rivers, the current model offers unprecedented continuity and clarity in visualizing shore displacement.
Solving landscape-related conflicts through transnational learning? The case of transboundary Nordic World Heritage sites
Transnational learning (TNL) can mitigate democratic participation gaps in early stages of UNESCO World Heritage (WH) nomination processes, offering a model for resolving landscape-related conflicts. This study examines the WH sites Laponia and High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago, revealing how TNL facilitates cross-border cooperation among stakeholders despite cultural and legal constraints. The research employs comparative methods and governance theories to analyze challenges in local democratic participation during national and transnational decision-making. It highlights the Nordic tradition of TNL as a tool for incorporating diverse stakeholders into WH governance, demonstrating its potential to bridge gaps between local communities and international conservation efforts.
World Heritage, Tourism and Community Involvement: A Comparative Study of the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland)
Local communities in the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exhibit predominantly positive attitudes toward tourism development but demonstrate limited understanding of the UNESCO World Heritage concept. While residents in the High Coast region are generally more supportive of increased tourism compared to their counterparts in Kvarken, Finnish authorities show a stronger inclination to leverage World Heritage status for economic benefits than Swedish authorities. The study, based on empirical attitude surveys and focus group interviews, reveals that World Heritage designation alone does not drive regional tourism development but rather fits into broader destination-building efforts. However, collaboration between communities and authorities remains limited and often conflict-laden, suggesting that improved cooperation could enhance the positive image of these sites while supporting sustainable tourism growth.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago