Babina Restoration Project, Romania

General

National Id:

Romania_02

Site name:

Danube, Danube Delta

Summary:

The Babina polder (2.100 ha), in Romania, was reconnected to the Danube in 1994 and recovery has been monitored by the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development. Within a few years a redevelopment of the site-specific biodiversity occurred and ecosystem services like nutrient retention and fish recruitment became obvious. Additionally, the reconnected polder enable reed harvesting, grazing, fishing and ecotourism.

NUTS Code:

Sud-Est

RBD code:

RO1000

Transboundary:

0

Data provider:

Imola Koszta, RECBogdan Barbu, REC

Source(s):

Case study:The Babina Restoration Project

Evolution of Babina polder after restoration works

NWRM(s) implemented in the case study:

Floodplain restoration and management

Wetland restoration and management

Reconnection of oxbow lakes and similar features

Longitude:

29.411667

Latitude:

45.424722

Site information

Climate zone:

warm temperate moist

Mean rainfall:

375

Mean rainfall unit:

mm/year

Average temperature:

11,5

Type:

Case Study Info

Light or indepth?:

Light

Average slope range:

0-1%

Vegetation class:

grasses

Monitoring maintenance

Monitoring impacts effects:

1

Monitoring parameters:

Hydromorphological quality elements (hydrological regime and sediment transport); Biological quality elements (limnological studies conducted in consideration of phyto- and zooplankton, macrozoobenthos, phytophile fauna, fish and aquatic vegetation etc); Physico-chemical quality elements (nutrient retention and transformation); socio-economic (evaluation of the grassland and its usability by the local population; analysis with regard to a possible use of the agricultural potential for eco-tourism)

Performance

Performance impact estimation method:

Edge of Field/Plot

Performance impact estimation information:

Field measurements; to monitor the area†™s filter function as for the solid matters suspended in the water, water samplings were taken. The limnological samples were taken within the frame of five field studies, together with the studies on terrestrial and aquatic macrophytes as well as terrestrial and semi-aquatic macroinvertebrates. The sampling sites of the studied area were determined in a way to include all types of waters. Evaluation of reed areas available for sustainable use have been identified by means of remote sensing and on-site surveys. Spatial data of the TM Mapper type have been used for the investigation area.

Biophysical impacts

Information on retained water:

n.a.

Information on increased water storage:

n.a.

Information on runoff reduction:

n.a.

Water quality overall improvements:

Positive impact-WQ improvement

Information on Water quality overall improvements:

A definitely positive effect of nutrient reduction is a reduced eutrophication in the restoration area which is also to the benefit of the Black Sea. Phosphorus arrives in the area with the spring floods and is retained in the reedbeds. In summer time this phosphorus allows the growth of phytoplankton and macrophytes.

Information on Water quality Improvements (N):

229.4 tons of N/year (Total reduction N )

Soil quality overall soil improvements:

N/A info

Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements:

n.a. info

Lessons, risks, implications...

Key lessons:

The restored area is one of the perfect showcase for the redevelopment and broadening of natural habitats for fish, birds and further species that may contribute to the expansion of the Natura 2000 network.

Success factor(s):

Type	Role	Comments
Successful coordination between authorities	main factor	cooperation between the institutes/irganizations mentioned previously.

Financing:

Type	Comments
	n.a. info

Barrier:

Type	Role	Comments
		n.a.

Driver:

Type	Role	Comments
Balancing different objectives	main driver	Ecological reconstruction/restoration to restore the natural, site-specific hydrological, biogeochemical and ecological functions, to ensure the redevelopment of the ecosystem and its functions and thus to promote the development of site-specific habitats and their biodiversity. Moreover, the redevelopment of the natural resources should enable the local populations to proceed to their sustainable, traditional use.

Socio-economic

Direct benefits information:

New habitats for plants and animals, broader spawning grounds for fish as well as extended habitats for aquatic birds, hydrological dynamics and water storage, sediment retention, fixing of toxic substances and an important function as biofilter for the Black Sea.. All these generating remarkable economic benefits. They result in considerable amounts of fish, reed, medicinal plants

Ancillary benefits information:

Interesting aquatic landscapes for tourists thus may increase ecotourism in the area.

Costs investment information:

n.a. info

Costs operation maintenance:

n.a. info

Costs total:

2407000

Costs total information:

n.a. info

Ecosystem improved biodiversity:

1

Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity:

Rich and abundant zooplankton community that provides an excellent food source to fish. the fish fauna of Babina island found its own level with 29 species. The high diversity of macro- and microhabitats in the terrestrial and semi-aquatic area allow the reactivation of an extremely high biodiversity especially with regard to the arthropode fauna. The species spread along ecological gradients that cover a broad range between arid and moist. The reestablishment of site-characteristic habitats and food sources has also been to the benefit of both the European mink (Mustela lutreola) and the European otter (Lutra lutra).

Ecosystem provisioning services:

1

Information on Ecosystem provisioning services:

The development and stabilization of the fish populations involve the use of fish resources and their socio-economic significance for the local populations.

Ecosystem impact climate regulation:

No information available

Information on Ecosystem impact climate regulation:

n.a. info

Ecosystem erosion control:

1

Information on Ecosystem erosion control:

At the opening level the sedimentation of suspended solids formed a layer of 0.60-2.17 m height between 1996-2003. The erosion process is less intense. Solid matters resulting from erosion become sedimentation material for the next and longest part of the canal, where water velocity is low.

Policy, general governance and design targets

Policy description:

Reconnection of polder Babina, formerly destined for agricultural purposes, to the flood regime of the Danube.

Part of wider plan:

1

Policy pressure:

Policy requirement directive:

Policy impact:

Policy wider plan:

Wider plan type	Wider plan focus	Name	Comments
		Management master plan for the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

Policy area:

Policy area type	Policy area focus	Name	Comments
Secondary	Water Policy - Floods Directive

Policy target:

Target purpose
Runoff control
Pollutants Removal
Erosion Control
Improved Biodiversity
Oher Societal Benefits

Design & implementations

Application scale:

Field Scale

Installation date:

1994-05

Lifespan:

50

Age:

10

Performance timescale:

1 - 4 years

Area (ha):

2100

Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha):

2100

Design capacity description:

n/a

Constraints:

n.a.

Favourable preconditions:

n.a.

Design contractual arrangement:

Design consultation activity:

Design land use change:

Design authority:

Role	Name	Comments
Monitoring	The Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea	subunit of the National Institute for Research and Development for Environmental Protection
Implementation	The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority	Public institution, subordinated to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
	WWF Germany

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Last updated: 12 Jan 2015 | Top

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Babina Restoration Project, Romania

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