Welcome to the 5th Baltic Earth Conference
New Challenges for Baltic Sea Earth System Research

- LocationJūrmala, Latvia
- Time13 - 17 May 2024
- HostInternational Baltic Earth Secretariat at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) and Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Rīga
Background
The Baltic Earth scientific network strives to achieve an improved Earth System understanding of the Baltic Sea region as the basis for science-based management in the face of climatic, environmental and human impact in the region. Baltic Earth brings together a broad international research community around scientific issues relevant for societal efforts to achieve sustainability in the region. Baltic Earth targets the atmosphere, land and marine environment of the Baltic Sea, its drainage basin and nearby areas with relevance for the Baltic Sea region.
The completion of the Baltic Earth Assessment Reports (BEARs) marks the termination of the first phase, ten years after the launch of Baltic Earth. The BEARs provide a retrospect of Baltic Earth related research, current knowledge and knowledge gaps, and wrap up Baltic Earth activities.
The conference
After the publication of the Baltic Earth Assessment Reports (BEARs) in 2023, reflecting the Grand Challenges and research themes of Baltic Earth over the past ten years, it is now time to move on and update research challenges, and define new ones. The updated and new research foci will be presented and discussed by scientists, students, managers and other stakeholders. Conference language is English.
The sessions of this conference reflect the Grand Challenges and topics Baltic Earth has elaborated for the past 10 years, and those which are currently being defined as new. As the open discussion is ongoing, the final set of new Grand Challenges will be presented at the conference with the new Science Plan 2023. The topics below are preliminary but reflect the scope of the conference; the final sessions will be defined in the 2nd Announcement and Call for Papers.
- Salinity dynamics
- Biogeochemical functioning and development:
- From catchment to the open sea
- Natural hazards and extreme events
- Sea level dynamics and coastal erosion
- Human impacts and their interactions
- Sustainable management options
- Analysing and projecting past and future climate changes
- Atmospheric teleconnections affecting the Baltic Sea region
- Comparing marginal seas around the world
- Philosophical aspects of Baltic Sea Earth system research
A updated and extensive description of topics and sessions will follow.
Call for Papers
The call for papers will be issued in November 2023.
Jūrmala
Jūrmala‘s beach is 33 km long, covered with white quartz sand. Jūrmala‘s reputation as a spa destination began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries when wealthy landowners began the tradition of relaxing at the seaside. The sea breeze, pine aroma, mineral springs, and sandy beach encouraged health spas to develop within the city.
The most distinguishing architectural feature in Jūrmala is the prevalence of wooden houses dating from the 19th and first half of the 20th century. Jūrmala‘s architecture typically falls into classicism, national romanticism, and modern styles. The town has an official list of 414 historical buildings under protection, as well as over 4000 wooden structures, and Dubulti Station is an example of sculptural concrete shell modernist architecture.
The Conference Venue
The conference takes place in Hotel Jūrmala Spa in the centre of Jūrmala, located on the sandy peninsula north of river Lielupe, and a well-known holiday resort at the southernmost banks of the Gulf of Rīga. The Latvian capital is just 25 km away. Jūrmala has been a tourist attraction with long beaches facing the sea and romantic wooden houses in the Art Nouveau style.
Jūrmala and the Conference Hotel are easily reached by various transportation means. Rīga has an international airport, serving all international connections. A commuter train connects Rīga and Jūrmala every half hour.
Hotel Jūrmala Spa
Jomas 47/49
Jūrmala LV-2015
Hotel website
More information on special conditions for conference participants will be available here soon.
Registration and Fees
Information on registration and fees will be published in November 2023.
Timeline
2nd Announcement and Call for papers: November 2023
Abstract submission deadline: January 2024
Programme available: February/March 2024
Registration deadline: March 2024
Scientific Committee
Juris Aigars, Latvia
Franz Berger, Germany
Inga Dailidienė, Lithuania
Georgia Destouni, Sweden
Matthias Gröger, Germany
Kari Hyytiäinen, Finland
Karol Kuliński, Poland
Andreas Lehmann, Germany
Urmas Lips, Estonia
Markus Meier, Germany (Chair)
Kai Myrberg, Finland
Piia Post, Estonia
Marcus Reckermann, Germany
Gregor Rehder, Germany
Anna Rutgersson, Sweden
Tarmo Soomere, Estonia
Martin Stendel, Denmark
Laura Tuomi, Finland
Ralf Weisse Germany
Organising Committee
Juris Aigars, Latvia
Andris Andrusaitis, Latvia
Silke Köppen, Germany
Markus Meier, Germany
Marcus Reckermann, Germany