| DDBR, together with the Danube Biosphere Reserve in Ukraine,
were included in the International Network of Cross-border
Biosphere Reserves (Romania-Ukraine 1999)
Danube
Delta genesis
At the end of a course of over 2,840 km,
collecting the water from a vast hydrological basin that exceeds
8% of the area of Europe, the Danube (the second largest river
of the Continent) has during the last 16,000 years built at
its mouth with the Black Sea one of the most beautiful deltas
in Europe, perhaps in the whole world. The Danube Delta is
famous as one of the greatest wetlands of the Earth.
The current geomorphology of the Danube Delta
is the result of the interaction between the river and the
sea during the Holocene period. At the beginning of the Holocene,
when the level of the sea reached approximately the nowadays
level, there was the so-called Danube Gulf. At its mouth,
between the Jibrieni promontory to the north and the Murighiol-
Dunavãt promontory to the south, was formed the Letea-
Caraorman levees. The alluvial materials were carried along
the sea shore, by the marine currents, to the north, to the
mouth of the Nistru, Bug and Nipru rivers.
The oldest Danube branch, Sfantu Gheorghe,
flew into the sea through a large passage situated to the
southern part of Letea - Caraorman levees forming the very
first Danube delta: the Sfantu Gheorghe Ist Delta.
The second Danube branch, Sulina, started
its development when Sfantu Gheorghe arm was blocked during
the sedimentation process. The Sulina arm took over increasingly
amounts of sediments building in the same time its own delta:
the Sulina Delta.
Meanwhile, in the southern part of this
area, was formed a small delta, Cosnei Delta, due to the Dunavat
secondary branch. The Sulina Delta was progressively eroded,
while Chilia arm, to the north and Sfantu Gheorghe arm, to
the south, built their own deltas: Chilia Delta and Sfantu
Gheorghe IInd Delta.
These two deltas are formed by the river
alluvial materials while the alluvial materials carried by
the marine currents accumulate to the north of the Chilia
arm and building the Jibrieni formation.
The present day configuration of the Danube Delta is due to
the last rising of the level of the Black Sea, who intensified
the sedimentation process and consequently created meanders
and ramifications of the main branches.
Main
geographic units
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (map)
The main geographic divisions of the DDBR are as follows:
• Danube Delta
• Maritime Danube to Cotul
Pisicii
• Isaccea- Tulcea sector of the Danube
flood plain
• Sãrãturile Murighiol
- Plopu brackish lake
• Razim- Sinoie lagoon complex
• The coastal Black Sea from Chilia Branch to Midia
Cape
• The coastal marine waters up to 20 m depth
Danube Delta
The Romanian geographic literature referring
to the Danube Delta (Gâstescu, 1989), means the area
between the first bifurcation of the Danube river (Ceatalul
Chiliei) and the area bordered by the Black Sea on the East,
the Chilia branch on the North and Razim-Sinoie lagoon complex
on the South.
Danube Delta is the largest component of
the reserve, with a total area of about 4,178 km2, of which
3,510 km2 (about 82%) lies in Romania, and the remainder in Ukraine, mostly comprising a secondary delta at
the mouth of Chilia branch.
On the basis of landforms, morphometric
and hydrographical characteristics, the Danube Delta is divided
in two main subunits: the fluvial (riverine) delta and the
fluvial-marine (or marine) delta.
The fluvial (riverine) delta represents the oldest
part which was developed within the former gulf of the Danube
river. Its main characteristic is the relatively large extension
of riverine levees, while the depressionary lacustrine areas
are generally smaller, dispersed and partly subjected to an
intensive silting process.
The fluvio-marine (or marine) delta includes the marine levees Letea, Caraorman and Sãrãturile
and one of most important lacustrine complexes (Rosu-Puiu-Lumina).
It is affected by major morphohydrographic changes in the
contact zone with the Black Sea.
Razim-Sinoie
lagoon complex
The second component of the reserve is situated
to the south of the delta and has a total area of some 1,145
km2 of which the limans (flooded valleys) and lagoons comprise
863 km2. The complex consists mainly of basins that were originally
marine bays (the former Gulf of Halmyris) that became isolated
from the sea by sand bars and dunes resulting from the deposition
of sediments.
In the last decades of the century, the complex suffered severe
changes being transformed partially in a fresh water resource
for irrigation.
Maritime
Danube
This element runs from the Danube bifurcation
(Ceatal Ismail) at west – Cotul Pisicii, between maritime
miles Mm43 – Mm 74.
The
Isaccea - Tulcea sector of the Danube flood plain
This area represents the right-hand side
of the river valley between Isaccea town and the first Delta
bifurcation (Ceatalul Chilia). It is formed like an elongated
basin and during the spring flood period all the lakes and
swamps are inundated.
Sãrãturi-Murighiol
brakish lake
Lake Sãrãturi is located on
a Danubian terrace; it is 2 km long and has a maximum width
of 500m. Its water is very saline and supports a wide variety
of phyto- and zooplankton.
Climate
Danube Delta has a continental-temperate
climate with some pontic (marine) influence.
The average annual air temperature has moderate values with
a slow increase from West to east.
The average number of hours sunshine is
about 2,300-2,500 hours year (2,260 at Tulcea and 2,502 at
Sfântu Gheorghe), and global solar radiation reaches
125- 135 kcal/cm2, one of the best in the country.
Functional
areas:
strictly protected areas:
18 sites covering a total of 50 600 hectares
(8.7% of the Reserve’s surface). The protection is mandatory
and these areas contain pristine places, representatives for
the natural, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Reserve;
buffer areas
established around the strictly protected sites. Covering
223 300 hectares (38.5% of the Reserve’s area), they
are designated to reduce the human activities impact on these
sites.
• economic zones, covering 306 100
hectares (52.8% of the Reserve’s surface) include easily
flooded areas, protected fishing, agricultural and forest
areas, as well as the localities.
• Areas for ecological restoration
– where Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority has
projects and activities for ecological restoration and reconstruction,
using appropriate technical means and technologies.
Description of the Strictly Protected Areas :
ROSCA- BUHAIOVA ( 9625 ha )
Rosca-Buhaiova area includes a great diversity
of habitats which are representative for the river delta (immobile
and floating reed beds, reed marshes (fens), lakes, river
sand banks, the western side of the Letea marine sand bank,
the eastern side of the continental sand bank, natural streams,
flooding areas, willow pledges, etc.).
The fauna in this area shows a remarkable
diversity represented by mammals like: otter, mink, ermine,
muskrat, raccoon dog, fox, wild boar, etc.; by the ornithological
fauna: the presence of the greatest colony of white pelicans
(Pelecanus onocrotalus) from Europe, the Ardeidaes mixed colonies,
the majority of Anatidaes and Paseriformes species characteristic
for the delta, as well as the presence of the invertebrates
fauna.
The same rich diversity is present also
in the vegetal world, in spite of the monotony offered by
the predominant species: reed. The stagnant aquatic basins
are invaded by water lily (Nymphaea alba, Nuphar luteum),
Hydrocharis, Limnanthemum, Trapa natans, Stratiotes aloides.
In the water poor in nitrates from some
low hollows or puddles between reed beds, appear the Utricularia
and Aldrovanda carnivorous plants. In the compact reed thickets
is concentrated almost the whole European flora of amphibian
plants represented by the Dryopteris thelipteris, Solanum
dulcamara, Euphorbia palustris, species of Carex, etc. and
rare species like: Acorus calamus or Calla palustris.
Letea Forest (2 825 Ha)
This forest, that grows between the dunes
under the shape of some bands with 10-250 m breadth, separated
by the top of the dunes, is formed especially from: English
Oak (Quercus robur, Q. pedunculiflora), White Poplar (Populus
alba), Black Poplar (Populus nigra), Narrow-Leafed Ash (Fraxinus
angustifolia, Fraxinus pallisae), Pyrus pyraster, Silver Lime
(Tilia tomentosa), Elm tree (Ulmus foliacea) and rarely Common
Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and is completed by a rich scale of
sub-shrub species (Crataegus monogyna, Ligustrum vulgare,
Euonymus europaeus, Cornus mas, C. sanguinea, Rhamnus frangula,
R. cathartica, Viburnum opulus, Berberis vulgaris, etc).
A characteristic of this area is the abundance
of climbing plants (Periploca graeca, Hedera helix, Vitis
silvestris, Humulus lupulus, Clematis vitalba) which give
a subtropical aspect to the forest. Within the vegetal carpet
there are also another rare species: Sand bindweed (Convolvulus
persicus), Merendera sobolifera and tendril (Epphedra dystachia).
The fauna is represented by the White-tailed
Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus),
Hoopoe (Upupa epops), Roller (Coracias garrulus), a few species
of herpetological rarities (Eremias arguta, Vipera ursinii
renardi) and approx. 1600 entomofauna species identified until
today.
Raducu Lake (2 500 Ha)
This area includes fresh water lakes supplied
from the last branch of the big “M”, situated
in a typical area for the development of the river-marine
sand banks between Chilia and Sulina.
The aquatic basins are surrounded by the
marine sand banks with barren soils, mobile or insufficiently
fixed with Elymus sabulosus, Carex ligerica and Agropyrum
elongatum; steppe grasslands with Salix rosmarinifolia and
Euphorbia palustris or depressionnary areas , with temporary
open water, characterized by the shrubs with Juncus gerardii.
“Rãducu” and “Rãduculet”
lakes are hosting a representative ichtyofauna for this area,
protected by the isolation of these basins.
Nebunu Lake (115 Ha)
The lake “Nebunu” and its surroundings
represent a small lacustrine area, characteristic for the
river delta which is hosting specific biocoenosis, adapted
to great amplitudes of the high flood wave. This area is suitable
nesting place and feeding place for water-fowls during the
summer time.
Because of its isolation, the lake provides
the best conditions for spawning and growth of the ichthyofauna
which is specific for the small lakes with low levels of water.
Vatafu - Lungulet (1 625 Ha)
This area comprises different forms of relief:
sand banks, low hollows, depressions, fixed and floating reed
beds, halophyle grasslands, and it is characterized mainly
by the existence of biocoenosis adapted to the euryhalin life
conditions.
The complex of lakes and river-marine sand
banks is an important nesting place for Little bitterns and
Pygmy cormorants, in mixed ardeidae colonies.
Caraorman Forest (2 250 Ha)
This area comprises the most advanced and
representative bare dunes from the delta and Caraorman forest,
developed especially on the southern side of the sand bank.
Beside the various meadow brushes consisting
of poplars, ashes and oaks, we can also find here, pledge
sub-shrubs, Salix, Tamarix, etc. The southern forest extremity
shelters impressive oaks exemplaries with 4,20- 4,70 m circumference.
The vegetal associations are hosting invertebrates
(especially insects) and vertebrate animals (mammals). As
avifauna, in this forest it can be found the White-tailed
Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the Raven (Corvus corax).
Saraturi-Murighiol Brackish Lakes (87 Ha)
“Sãrãturi Murighiol”
Lake is strongly salinized, of chlorine-sulphate type, being
characterized by its richness of zoo- and phytoplankton species.
This complex is a shelter for sternidae
colonies, here nesting also the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus
himantopus), as well as the Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta),
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) and Kentish Plover (Charadrius
alexandrinus).
During the winter, because of the water’s
late freezing we can discover a great concentration of limicolous
that find here shelter and plenty of food.
Erenciuc Alder Grove (50 Ha)
This area is the only forest area in the
whole delta, where the common alder (Alder glutinosa) grows
densely.
Sometimes, here is nesting the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus
albicilla).
Popina Island (98 Ha)
“Popina” island constitutes
an important resting place for migratory birds and the nesting
place for Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna).
In spring, we can find here swamp and forest
birds like: Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), Calandra
Lark (Melanocorypha calandra), etc.
The invertebrates fauna comprises rarities
like the venomous spider called “the black widow”
(Lactrodectus tredecimguttatus) and the giant myriapod (Scolopendra
cingulata).
Sacalin-Zatoane (21 410 Ha)
The lakes provide ideal nesting conditions
for Mute swans and feeding conditions for the limicolous species,
numerous on the Sacalin islands where the greatest colony
of Sandwich Terns (Sterna sandvicensis) lives also.
Both lakes and the sand banks, as well as
the Black Sea coast are the maximum concentration sites of
the ornithological fauna during the spring-autumn migration.
The Sacalin island is the most important nesting, pre-migration
and migration area, an important wintering quarter, here nesting
approximatively 30 bird species.
Periteasca-Leahova (4 125 Ha)
Characteristic here are the biocoenosis
developed on the dry sand banks, on the sands bathed by the
sea or by the Razim Lake, as well as the biocoenosis adapted
to high salinity variations.
It is a favorite nesting area for the limicolous
species, for Shelducks (“Bisericuta” island),
as well as for laridae and sternidae families (halophyle sand
banks), being an important nesting and feeding area for winter
guests. Periteasca- Leahova is also the favorite shelter for
the Red-breasted goose population (Branta ruficollis), during
day-time migration.
Dolosman Cape (125 Ha)
This area is important for the conservation
of the xerophyte vegetation, for the Swift (Apus apus) nesting,
the Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka), as well as for the
protection of the Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna) of the
Large Whip Snake (Coluber jugularis) and of the Dice Snake
(Natrix tesselata).
The area has also an archaeological importance, here lasting
old civilizations vestiges.
Grindul (Levee) Lupilor (2 075 Ha)
This area is an important nesting and feeding
refuge for birds. During autumn migration period, this area
becomes an impressive concentration of ornithofauna and, especially
of winter guests (geese, ducks).
Because of the low levels of water and due
to its favorable conditions, this is a very important area
for the natural spawning of the following fish species: carp
(Ciprinus carpio), pike perch (Stizostedion lucioperca) and
bream (Abramis brama).
Istria-Sinoie (400 Ha)
In this area there is a great variety of
bird species: the Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), different ducks,
geese and numerous limicolous species.
From the herpetology fauna we can find here
the Spur- thighed Tortoise (Testudo Graeca), the Large Whip
Snake (Coluber jugularis) and numerous Dice snakes (Natrix
tesselata).
Istria-Sinoie area has also a great archaeological value.
Grindul (Levee) Chituc (2 300 Ha)
This area is valuable due to its morphological
configuration, characterized by the succession of cordons,
dunes, lakes, mainly the last ones, oriented on a side way
direction on the current shore line, featuring a fan. The
vegetation here is characteristic to the seacoast areas, with
sandy salty soils and it is important for birds’ migration
and wintering.
Rotundu Lake (228 Ha)
“Rotundu” is a typical lake
from Danube’s holm, the lacustrine Somova-Parches complex
being the last area of this kind, unaffected by dykings.
It is an area of special interest, being representative for
the research and conservation of the biocoenosis adapted to
great amplitudes of the high flood wave, as well as for cyprinids
reproduction.
Potcoava Lake (625 Ha)
This area is characterized by the existence
of a mixed colony of herons, glossy ibis, egrets, pygmy cormorants.
It is a nesting place for Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus),
Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Red-crested
Pochard (Netta rufina), Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena),
White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), as well as feeding
place for Divers, Grebes, Pygmy cormorants, Herons, Shovelers,
Saker falcon, etc.
The area is a shelter for otters, minks, ermines, wild boars.
The piscicultural fauna is represented by a range of threatened
species like the crucian carp, the tench.
Belciug Lake (110 Ha)
Because of its isolation and its water depth
(about 7 m), this lake is very favorable for the conservation
of some threatened fish species (crucian carp, tench, orfe).
This area is also an important feeding place
for numerous bird species, represented by: herons, egrets,
ducks, etc. In the surrounding reed beds is nesting the Crane
(Grus grus), a threatened species.
Buffer Areas :
1. Matita-Merhei-Letea (22.560 ha)
2. Sontea (12.500 ha)
3. Caraorman (13.830 ha)
4. Lumina - Vãtafu (13.460 ha)
5. Dranov (21.760 ha)
6. Sãrãturi-Murighiol (5 ha)
7. Rotundu Lake (1.240 ha)
8. Popina Island (260 ha)
9. Dolosman Cape (28 ha)
10. Zmeica-Sinoie (31.510 ha)
11. Potcoava Lake (2.937 ha)
12. Periteasca-Leahova (210 ha)
13. Marine buffer area (103.000 ha)
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