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.
Light or indepth?
Light
NUTS Code
Sud-Est
RBD code
RO1000
Transboundary
0
Data provider
Imola Koszta, RECBogdan Barbu, REC
Source(s)
NWRM(s) implemented in the case study
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
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)
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.
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.
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
| Arrangement type | Responsibility | Role | Comments | Name |
|---|
Design consultation activity
| Activity stage | Key issues | Name | Comments |
|---|
Design land use change
| Land use change type |
|---|
Design authority
| Authority type | Role | Responsibility | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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.
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)
| Success factor type | Success factor role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
Successful coordination between authorities
|
main factor
|
cooperation between the institutes/irganizations mentioned previously. |
Financing
| Financing type | Comments |
|---|---|
|
n.a. info
|
Driver
| Driver type | Driver 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. |
Financing share
| Financing share type | Share | Comments |
|---|
Policy, general governance and design targets
Policy description
Reconnection of polder Babina, formerly destined
for agricultural purposes, to the flood regime
of the Danube.
for agricultural purposes, to the flood regime
of the Danube.
Part of wider plan
1
Policy target
| Target purpose |
|---|
|
Improved Biodiversity
|
|
Pollutants Removal
|
|
Runoff control
|
|
Oher Societal Benefits
|
|
Erosion Control
|
Policy pressure
| Pressure directive | Relevant pressure |
|---|
Policy area
| Policy area type | Policy area focus | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Secondary
|
Water Policy - Floods Directive
|
Policy impact
| Impact directive | Relevant impact |
|---|
Policy wider plan
| Wider plan type | Wider plan focus | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Management master plan for the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
|
Policy requirement directive
| Requirement directive | Specification |
|---|
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
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).
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.
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
Biophysical impacts
Information on retained water
n.a.
Information on increased water storage
n.a.
Information on runoff reduction
n.a.
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.
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.
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