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If a species is disturbed in its development or even eradicated, the result
is that important functions can disapper without it being replaced by another
species. Should for example, bladder wrack in the Baltic disappear or decrease
in density, the results would be catastrophic for a countless
number of small creatures that live amongst the wrack.
As along the Swedish west coast, the occurrence of the finely
threaded green algae appears to be on the increase, also in the Baltic.
It "suffocates" the other macroalgae, for example bladder wrack,
which results in widespread ecological effects. A massive growth of green
algae also results in cliffs and beach areas becaming a disagreeable place
to visit.
In another window you can see a picture
that summarizes the effects of over-fertilization.
What can we do - ways to a tenable development
We can make it both more enjoyable to swim and
easier for many organisms to survive by decreasing over-fertilization. |
The miserable picture that we have drawn
may make you think that a hopless situation exists. It is true that the
nitrogen and phosphorous load does widespread damage and causes changes
in the ecosystems along our coastline, but there are measures that we can
take and that are being taken now to try and improve the situation. Measures
are being taken in a larger perspective in the form of political policies
and international agreements. Furthermore, as a citizen and a private person
we can act and do things to improve the environment.
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