On September 23, Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris 2025, was awarded at Hasselbacken in Stockholm. This year’s recipient, Professor Kerstin Johannesson from the University of Gothenburg, received the prize from the 2024 winner, Professor Ragnar Elmgren.
Bo Lehander, Chair of the Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse, welcomed the guests together with Agnes Karlsson, one of the founders of Björn Carlson’s Baltic Fellows, who also served as moderator of the award ceremony.
Christina Rudén from Stockholm University, and Chair of the Prize Nomination Committee, spoke about this year’s selection process. She was followed by the 2022 winner, Maren Voss, who took to the stage to present her latest research – a project supported by the foundation through her prize funding.
Professor Johannesson also presented her work that combines advanced molecular techniques with deep ecological insight into how species adapt and evolve in changing environments. Her research has revealed that genetic diversity declines progressively from the North Sea into the Baltic, and that sharp genetic boundaries appear in transition zones such as the Kattegat–Öresund, where environmental conditions shift rapidly. She has also shown that many marine species in the Baltic consist of unique, locally adapted populations.
These discoveries portray the Baltic Sea as a natural “Darwinian laboratory,” where species evolve rapidly to cope with shifting and often harsh conditions. They also underscore the critical importance of considering genetic diversity when conserving and managing marine species.
The day concluded with a scientific reception, where Camilla Gustafsson from Björn Carlson’s Baltic Fellows invited guests to continue the discussions. During the reception, five scientific posters developed collaboratively by the Fellows were presented.
