Baltic Sea Ice Climate Workshop 2005 
28 
Conclusions 
The temperature is an essential element for the formation of the ice cover in the Baltic Sea 
where the salinity rate is really low. Even if the correlation between the temperature and the ice 
thickness is good, statistical analysis show that other climato-marine and anthropogenic factors 
have an influence on the spatial and temporal variability of ice growth and melting of sea 
waters, and on the movement of the ice pack. It is also necessary to take care of the climatic 
study of the past months of a studied moment in order to understand better the evolution of the 
ice thickness. 
Nevertheless, climato-marine perspectives introduced by some authors show the importance of 
the relationship temperature / ice conditions. According to Haapala and Leppàranta (1997), 
’’small climatic changes will drastically influence ice conditions”. Some studies have shown that 
some parts of the Baltic Sea get less and less ice winters. Could it be a confirmation to a 
warming trend? Decrease of the probability of ice occurrence (Jevrejeva, 2004), diminution of 
the duration ice season in the Baltic Sea except in the Bay of Bothnia (Haapala, Leppàranta 
1997), later date of freezing, earlier date of ice break-up... are previous phenomena for next 
winters. 
The important role played by the climate on the ice pack is reinforced by other natural 
parameters and human activities. But the ice pack has also an influence on the climate 
(continentality...) and local ways of life. 
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