Estonian researchers believe rivers will no longer ice over at end of century

Photo: Arvet Mägi / Virumaa Teataja

Due to global warming most Estonian rivers will no longer ice over in winter by the end of the century, a report by researchers of the University of Tartu and the University of Life Sciences suggests.

The warming of the climate system will by the end of the 21st century cause a substantial change in the hydrological regime of Estonia's inland bodies of water, hydrobiology professor Tiina Noges from the University of Life Sciences center for limnology said.

"The ice period of rivers will become shorter and most rivers will not ice over at all. There will be a significant increase in winter river flows, the spring high water will be lower and occur earlier, which will reduce spring flooding," the professor explained.

She said that climate change as a rule causes a deterioration in the condition of water bodies similarly to the direct impact of human actions and therefore the planned protection and rehabilitation measures have to be that much more efficient. In Estonia the impact of climate change is so far relatively modest but in researchers' opinion already obvious in the increased frequency of drought, storms and flooding.

The report that was commissioned by the Ministry of Environment will be presented at a seminar on Wednesday, spokespeople for the University of Life Sciences said.