BIODIVERSITY

1. Flora
2. Fauna
   • Fauna species declared Nature Monuments in DDBR
   • Internationally important bird populations of the DDBR
3. Ecosystems
4. History of nature protection in Danube Delta
5. Nature 2000 network

One of the reasons why the Danube Delta became Biosphere Reserve is that, compared to other European or even World Deltas, it kept a higher biodiversity, meaning a higher number of species from different systems. More than that, the Danube Delta surprises by the high density of many species that are rare or missing in other European areas. All these exist despite the anthropic activity in the last decades and its effects on species and habitats.

Since 1991, the flora and fauna in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is inventoried and this action is still under way. There are two major objectives: knowing the natural heritage in a biosphere reserve and pointing out species in need of protection and conservation.

The mosaic of habitats developed in the DDBR is the most various in Romania, hosting a great variety of communities of plants and animals that counts around 5,429 types.

• 30 types of ecosystems
• 5429 species, of which
• 1 839 flora species
• algae (678 species)
• lichens (107 species)
• macromycetes (38 species)
• cormophytes (1016 species)
• 3 590 fauna species:
• mollusks (91 species)
• insects (2 244 species)
• fish (135 species)
• amphibians (10 species)
• reptiles (11 species)
• birds (331 species)
• mammals (42 species)

DDBR is a natural gene bank with inestimable value for the world's natural heritage.

FLORA - 1 839 species
The DDBR flora is represented by 1 839 taxons, and 70% of the vegetation is dominated by reed (Phragmites australis), sedge (Typha angustifolia), associations of Scirpetum and reed vegetations on floating formations.
On lakes and channels there are aquatic plants represented by underwater species: water lilly (Nymphea sp., Nuphar), Trapa natans, Potamogeton sp., Myriophyllum sp., Utricularia sp.
On higher shores there are willow forests (Salix trianda, Salix fragilis and Salix alba), while the smaller Salix cinerea grows on lower shores.
In Letea and Caraorman Forests, developed on lower and humid areas between sand dunes (areas called “hasmace”) grow species of oak (Quercus robur, Quercus pedunculiflora) along with ashtree (Fraxinus angustifolia, Fraxinus pallisiae) and different species of shrub and climbing plants: wild vine (Vitis silvestris) or lianas (Periploca graeca).
The sand dunes typically hold arenaceas associations (Koeleria pyramidata, Koeleria glauca, Festuca pallens etc.).
On areas with salted soils frequently grow halophile plants associations of Salicornia herbacea, Suaeda maritima, Puccicinelia distans, Aeluropus littoralis and Limonium gmelini. A distinct category is represented by rootless plants (floating plants) like Salvinia natans, three species of Lemna, Wolffia arrhiza, Utricularia vulgaris, and Spirodela polyrrhiza.
During the inventory of the species from the DDBR two completely new species were discovered: Centaurea pontica and Elymus pycnattum deltaicus.

FAUNA - 3 590 species
Due to very favorable conditions created by the big variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats, as well as the proximity of some palearctic fauna regions (mediterranean, eurasian, Black Sea), the fauna from the DDBR is represented by 3 590 species, from which 3 061 invertebrates and 529 vertebrates.
The invertebrates represent from far the most important part of the DDBR fauna, with more than 3 000 species. There are 435 species of worms, 91 species of mollusks, 115 crustaceans, 168 spiders and 2 244 other species of insects. 37 new species were described, including 1 worm Proleptobchus deltaicus, 5 species of spiders, 1 fish Knipowitschia cameliae and 30 species of insects (Isophya dobrogensis, Diaulinopsis deltaicus, Homoporus deltaicus etc).

The fish fauna from the DDBR is remarkably rich, with 135 species. The majority is fresh water fishes, but there are also marine species that come into the Danube Delta and on the Danube course during the reproduction season.
Approximately a third of these species were and still are subject to commercial fishing, including the sturgeons (since 2006 there is a 10 year prohibition) and the Danube mackerel (Alosa pontica).

The amphibians and the reptiles are also well represented in the DDBR, most of the species being under legal protection. There are 10 species of amphibians: marsh frog (Rana ridibunda), fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), European tree frog (Hyla arborea), common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus), common toad (Bufo bufo), European green toad (Bufo viridis), Syrian spadefoot (Pelobates syriacus balcanicus), Rana lessone and two species of water lizard, Danube crested newt (Triturus dobrogicus, Triturus vulgaris). The reptiles are represented by 11 species including testaceous, lezards (Sauria) and snakes (Serpentes).

The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve remains famous for its birds, with a total of 331 species (apart from the 520 species inventoried in Western Europe). The area is worldwide recognized as nesting place for many bird populations like the white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) and the pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus).
There are also important colonies of spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) and several nesting species of white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). The Danube Delta area is a major halting place (during spring and autumn) for millions of birds, especially ducks, white storks (Ciconia ciconia) and numerous predators. During winter, the Danube Delta hosts huge groups of swans and geese, including almost the entire world population of red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis).

The Bern Convention protects an important number of birds (313 out of the 331 species), mammals (22 protected species and 7 strictly protected species) and fish (22 protected species).

Species of fauna from the DDBR declared Nature’s Monument

Birds populations of international importance from the DDBR

Ecosystems in the DDBR

In the DDBR there are 30 types of ecosystems, 23 natural and 7 created by man.

The water formations include running waters (Danube and its branches, channels with active circulation, channels from natural areas with free water flow, channels inside polders, with controlled water exchange or no water exchange), fresh still waters (big lakes with/without water exchange, lakes inside polders), still salted or brackish waters (isolated lakes), coastal lagoons (connected to the sea), marine coastal areas (semi-closed gulfs and marine coastal waters).

The wetlands include aquatic vegetation on the borders (reedbeds, floating islands, willow formations, meadows on flooded banks associated with willows).

The forests, shrubs and grassy vegetations include temperate river plains (mixt forests of oaks), shrubs, grassy areas (steppe meadows, meadows on marine levees, on fossil loess or calcareous soil), open areas without/with scarce vegetation (dunes, shifting sand dunes with little vegetation, coastal belts, beaches).

Anthropic ecosystems include agricultural polders, forestry polders, poplar plantations on river banks, fish farms, ecological restoration areas (abandoned polders).

Towns and villages (urban areas and rural settlements)

Short history of the nature's protection in the Danube Delta

In the Danube Delta, nature’s protection started as early as 1938, when Letea Forest was declared protected area by the Romanian Academy, the second national protected area after the Retezat Mountains (1935). The surface of the protected areas from the Danube Delta increased to around 40000 hectares after the Second World War, many of the new protected areas being declared in the last decades of the XXth century. In 1978, the pelican colonies from Rosca Buhaiova and the Letea Forest were declared the first biosphere reserve in Romania.

In December 1993, the Romanian Parliament adopted Law 82 modified and completed by the Law 454/2001 on the creation of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The law establishes the main attributions of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (DDBRA) – public institution subordinated to the Central Environmental Authority.

In 1994, HG 248 adopted the Statute of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, delimitated the strictly protected areas and established the Scientific Council of the DDBR, modified by HG 367/2002 and HG 1515/2006.

Natura 2000 Ecological Network

What is Natura 2000?

It is a program aimed at the protection and management of the vulnerable species and habitats in their natural territory, all around Europe, regardless of the political boundaries.
It is an ecological network developed through the implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives (CE 92/43 – Directive concerning the Conservation of the natural habitats and wildlife flora and fauna species and CE 79/409 – Directive concerning the Conservation of wild birds)
It is implemented through the Law 345/2006 modifying and completing O.U.G. 236/2000 concerning the regime of the natural protected areas, the conservation of natural habitats, wildlife flora and fauna.

IMPORTANT: Natura 2000 is NOT a system of strictly protected reserves. Human activities are allowed, as long as they protect the species or the habitats.

Natura 2000 Network consists of:

SAC’s (Special Areas for Conservation) designated for:

• Habitats from the Habitats Directive (198 listed in this Directive)
• species (over 800 listed in the Habitats Directive)

SPA’s (Special Protection Areas for birds’ protection) designated for:
• Species from the Birds Directive (approx. 200 species).

Sites from the DDBR and their importance

Danube Delta Razim Sinoie (SPA)

Lacustrian habitats, as well as those specific to the levees, support an extremely diverse fauna of vertebrates, with numerous nationally and internationally protected species. This site is home for important numbers of protected birds. According to the data we have the following categories:

• number of species from Annex 1 of the Birds Directive: 97
• number of other migratory species, listed in the annexes of the Convention for migratory species (Bonn): 151
• number of globally endangered species: 17.

The Black Sea (SPA)
The site represents an important migratory passage way and winter shelter for Northern Europe birds, which come to the marine waters along the coast. The extremely rich benthic and pelagic life is a strong support for migratory, sedentary and passage birds.

Danube Delta and its marine coastal area (SCI)

The major influence of the Danube’s water and its alluvial deposits creates unique sedimentary habitats on the Romanian seaside. The area’s richness and beauty are remarkable, and the variety of resources and biotopes makes it unique not only in Europe but also among the world’s deltaic ecosystems.

Which are the obligations and restrictions in a Natura 2000 site ?

• To avoid actions that could significantly affect the species and habitats justifying the designation of Natura 2000 site of the area;

• To establish necessary conservation measures, involving proper management plans specific for the site or integrated in larger management plans.

• There are NO restrictions as long as the activities in the area do not endanger the habitats and the species for which the site was designated.

www.natura2000.ro

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