The aim of the research was to find out the impact of climate change along the coast of the southeast sector of the Bay of Biscay, as well as how this affects the biodiversity of pelagic systems; i.e. those out at sea and at 200 metres depth. One of the most striking conclusions makes reference to the significant loss of littoral due to the rise in sea level of between 29 cm and 49 cm over the XXI century, according to the researchers' estimates. The coastal areas most affected by this rise will be low-lying zones, mostly beaches and with retreats of up to 40% in their width in the case of the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, and at urban areas around estuaries.

As sea level rises, salt marshes and mud flats will suffer a natural migration towards the interior. This migration will be limited by various infrastructure elements along the coast, such as dykes, breakwaters, ports and other structures.

The research showed, moreover, a warming of the surface air - that between the sea surface and 1,000 metres altitude - and a greater frequency of so-called heat waves. Climate change will also affect rainfall; episodes of heavy daily precipitation will intensify - by up to 10%.

The ecosystems of pelagic and coastal waters will also be affected by the warming of the oceans - by a rise of up to 2ºC down to the first 100 m of water and by variations in the flow of rivers and the Bay. This fact will give rise to modifications in the marine biodiversity, which will affect plankton and benthos - on the ocean bed - and, in consequence, fishing.

This study falls within the remit of the K-Egokitzen project, the aim of which is to analyse the impact of climate change in the Basque Country and evaluate the required measures to be adopted. The K-Egokitzen project was co-financed by the Basque Government's Department of the Environment, Land Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Industry and Innovation, through the ETORTEK programme.

Translation: Basque Research

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