Fortuna Restoration Project in the Danube Delta, Romania

National Id
Romania_03
Site name
The Fortuna -Danube Delta
Summary
The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority had the aim with the Fortuna Wetland Restoration Project of connecting agricultural polder Fortuna (2,115 ha), Romania, to the Danube regime, restoration of hydrological regime and hydrological functions.
NUTS Code
Sud-Est
RBD code
RO1000
Transboundary
0
Data provider
Bogdan Barbu, RECImola Koszta, REC
Source(s)
The Fortuna Restoration Project
Romanian Experiences Regarding Ecological Restoration in Danube Floodplain and Delta
The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
Romanian Danube Delta Biodiversity Project Local Benefits
NWRM(s) implemented in the case study
Wetland restoration and management
Re-meandering
Reconnection of oxbow lakes and similar features
Elimination of riverbank protection
Longitude
29.148056
Latitude
45.191111
Climate zone
warm temperate dry
Mean rainfall
400
Mean rainfall unit
mm/year
Average temperature
11,1999998092651
Type
Case Study Info
Light or indepth?
Light
Vegetation class
former polder for agro-forestry
Monitoring impacts effects
1
Application scale
Field Scale
Installation date
2004-11
Lifespan
50
Age
10
Performance timescale
Immediate
Area (ha)
2115
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
2115
Constraints
The villagers in Gorgova have strongly opposed the measure of closing channels leading to the Lake Fortuna, because it makes access by boat more difficult for them.
Design authority
Authority type
National water authority
Role
Other
Name
Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development Tulcea - Romania
Comments
Research, design, monitoring
Authority type
National water authority
Role
Other
Name
The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority
Comments
Civil works for implementation
Authority type
Other
Role
Other
Name
RIZA- Lelystad, The Netherland
Comments
'Research, design, monitoring
Authority type
NGO
Role
Other
Name
WWF - Auen Institute, Rastatt, Germany
Comments
'Research, design, monitoring
Authority type
National water authority
Role
Financing
Name
Romanian Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Waters and Environment Romania
Authority type
Other
Role
Financing
Name
World Bank
Comments
Managing Agency, Financing
Authority type
Other
Role
Other
Name
Tulcea County Council
Authority type
Other
Role
Other
Name
Local stakeholders - the professional fishermen
Comments
Project-Affected people
Key lessons
The epxeriences learned in the project emphasize the importance of securing the support of local communities for conservation programs . Also self sustainability of the restored area is a very important factor.
Barrier
Barrier type
Other
Barrier role
secondary barrier
Comments
From a local benefits perspective, villagers in Gorgova have strongly opposed the measure of closing channels leading to the Lake Fortuna, because it makes access by boat more difficult from them.
Barrier type
Lacking coordination between authorities
Barrier role
main barrier
Comments
Land "ownership" (too many administrators); legal framework; lack of money; lack of coordination (national level); lack of vision; lack of co-operation.
Barrier type
Attitude of decision makers
Barrier type
Other
Barrier role
secondary barrier
Comments
Restored area not self sustaining;
Quantified objectives
1. Protect and maintain population of species and habitats with ecological values. 2. Carry out restoration works where natural and seminatural character has been lost. 3. Manage water circulation in order to improve the ecological conditions. 4. Assess the effectiveness of existing buffer zones and if necessary recommend modifications.
Part of wider plan
1
Policy target
Target purpose
Improved Biodiversity
Target purpose
Increase Water Storage
Target purpose
Oher Societal Benefits
Policy wider plan
Wider plan type
Local
Wider plan focus
Environment & Biodiversity
Name
The Rehabilitation Programme
Comments
Wetland Restoration Projects
Direct benefits information
Fish yield; Reed harvest; Tourism; Cattle.
Ancillary benefits information
n.a. info
Costs investment information
n.a. info
Costs operation maintenance
n.a. info
Costs total information
n.a. info
Ecosystem improved biodiversity
1
Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity
- Habitat for plants and animals typical alluvial areas; - Habitat and breeding area for fish and aquatic birds; - Reservoir for biodiversity and providing genetic resources; - Biocoridor and genetic exchange;
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
No information available
Information on retained water
n.a. info
Information on increased water storage
n.a. info
Information on runoff reduction
n.a. info
Ecosystem erosion control
0
Water quality overall improvements
Positive impact-WQ improvement
Information on Water quality overall improvements
Retention of sediments and pollutions; Black Sea biofilter.
Soil quality overall soil improvements
Positive impact-SQ improvement
Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements
Organic production; Biogeochemical circuit elements

Partners

Logos of all partners of NWRM project