Project publications

The Climate in the Polish-Saxon Border Region

The brochure summarises the results of the analysis of current climate conditions and previously observed climate change in the Polish-Saxon border region. The analysis is based on a cross-border database of observed German, Polish and Czech climate data, which was set up for the first time. To investigate the current climate change in the region, a trend analysis for the period 1971-2010 was carried out. The analysis  focused on thermal trends in climate, bioclimate and agricultural meteorology, which were derived using appropriate indices.

Climate projections, air pollution and critical load of eco systems

In summarised form, the brochure presents the results of characterisation of future climate change in the Polish-Saxon border region, the development of air pollutants and the development of the load limits of ecosystems until 2100. Using three different climate scenarios, A1B, RCP2.6 and RCP8.6, the possible range of future climate and air hygiene development is illustrated. While the scenario RCP2.6 represents the so-called "2-degree target", RCP8.5 describes the "worst case scenario".

Based on the results of climate analysis and projections, the present and future deposition of sulphur and nitrogen in the project region is modelled using the dispersion model FRAME. In addition, emission forecasts until 2030 are taken into account.

Further, load limits of ecosystems, so-called "Critical Load" are determined using the the FRAME model results. Critical Load are limits for airborne pollutants. By definition they are quantitative estimates of an exposure to a deposition of one or more pollutants, under which significant harmful effects on specified sensitive elements of the environment do not occur according to present knowledge. Combining climate projections, air pollution and critical loads, the current and future transboundary risk potential of eco systems are described.

Fact sheet: Climate change, air pollution and ecosystems in the Polish-Saxon border area

The EU project KLAPS (Climate change, air pollution and critical load of ecosystems in the Polish-Saxon border area) determines the trans boundary influence of climate change on concentration and deposition of air pollutants, supra-regional impacts on environmental load limits and the influence of changing climatic conditions on population, tourism and agriculture. The fact sheet briefly and concisely summarises the results obtained within the project KLAPS. Information about current and possible future trends of climate and air quality as well as the impact of climate change are presented according to target groups. Detailed overviews of the applied methods and results are given in »Climate in the Polish-Saxon border area« and »Climate projections, air pollution and critical load of ecosystems«.