Morphology and vegetation of a dune system in SE Denmark in relation to climate change and sea level rise

Recordings by the Danish Meteorological Institute show, that the mean temperature of Denmark has remained fairly constant and the mean precipitation in winter has increased very slightly during the last c. 100 years, and that the relative sea level rise in Danish waters amounted to between + 9 cm and -3 cm during the same period of time.For the W Baltic area a doubling of CO₂-level in the atmosphere is predicted to cause an increase in mean temperature by 3–4°C, an increase in length of growing season by c. 55 days, an increase in aridity, and a sea level rise of between 25 and 165 cm. Based on recent observations of morphology, soil and vegetation of a W Baltic dune system, possible effects of these changes upon vegetational composition, phytogeography, nutrient economy, stability, and ground water level of coastal dunes are discussed.