INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE DELTA DUNĂRII - TULCEA DANUBE DELTA NATIONAL INSTITUTE

1. Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE DELTA DUNĂRII - TULCEA DANUBE DELTA NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TULCEA-ROMANIA 11 Mars 2008, Copenhagen

2. CASE STUDIE

3. 5.1 Description and history of the DDBR area 5.1.1 Location of the area Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) is situated in the eastern part of Europe and lies at the intersection of 45˚N (parallel of latitude) with 29˚E (longitude). Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR)was founded by Government Decision No. 983/1990 and by the Law No. 82/1993. The total area of DDBR is of about 5,800km2, this mean 2.5% from Romania surface, out of which: Ø3,510km2 the proper delta – Romanian sector Ø1,145km2 Razim-Sinoe lacustrine area Ø1,030km2 sea waters as far as –20 isobath Ø13km2 Danube riverbed between Cotul Pisicii and Isaccea (Romanian territory) Ø102km2 Danube holm between Isaccea and Tulcea.

4. All hypothesis related to the Danube Delta genesis start from the idea that delta was created on a gulf surrounded by the oldest Romanian territory (the relicts of the Hercinic mountains) 12 000 years ago. It is the results of interaction between Danube river and Black Sea currents.

5. Genesis of Danube Delta Complex

6. Nr.crt. Nr.crt. Nr.crt. Denumirea amenajării Denumirea amenajării Denumirea amenajării Suprafaţa conformLegii nr. 69/1996 Suprafaţa conformLegii nr. 69/1996 Suprafaţa conformLegii nr. 69/1996 Suprafaţa ce aparţinedomeniului public deinteres local(ha) Suprafaţa ce aparţinedomeniului public deinteres local(ha) Suprafaţa ce aparţinedomeniului public deinteres local(ha) Suprafaţa domeniuluipublic de interes judeţeanaflată în administrareaConsiliului Judeţean Tulcea(ha) Suprafaţa domeniuluipublic de interes judeţeanaflată în administrareaConsiliului Judeţean Tulcea(ha) Suprafaţa domeniuluipublic de interes judeţeanaflată în administrareaConsiliului Judeţean Tulcea(ha) 5.1.2 Brief history of the governance and ecosystem management conditions in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve AMENAJĂRI AGRICOLE AMENAJĂRI AGRICOLE AMENAJĂRI AGRICOLE 1. 1. 1. Sireasa Sireasa Sireasa 5.480 5.480 5.480 910 910 910 4.570 4.570 4.570 2. 2. 2. Pardina Pardina Pardina 27.032 27.032 27.032 502 502 502 26.530 26.530 26.530 3. 3. 3. Tătaru Tătaru Tătaru 2.061 2.061 2.061 222 222 222 1.839 1.839 1.839 4. 4. 4. Caraşuhat Caraşuhat Caraşuhat 2.863 2.863 2.863 1.209 1.209 1.209 1.654 1.654 1.654 5. 5. 5. Dunavăţ-Murighiol Dunavăţ-Murighiol Dunavăţ-Murighiol 2.538 2.538 2.538 201 201 201 2.337 2.337 2.337 SUPRAFAŢA TOTALĂ DE AMENAJĂRI AGRICOLE SUPRAFAŢA TOTALĂ DE AMENAJĂRI AGRICOLE SUPRAFAŢA TOTALĂ DE AMENAJĂRI AGRICOLE 39.947 39.947 39.947 3.044 3.044 3.044 36.930 36.930 36.930 • As a result of the existing fortresses, starting with5th – 6th centuries BC, riverside territories of the Black Sea, including the delta, was mentioned in historical documents. In common literature is not mentioned aspects which refer strictly to the administration of this territory. Because of that will mentioned the main features about. • Historically speaking the Dobrogea (south-eastern province of Romania that includes also Danube Delta) was under different domination as: Ottoman Empire domination which started at the beginning at the 15th century (so the delta of the Danube was administered by ottoman), or Russians. After the Independence War (1877-1878), the Dobrogea was annexed again to Romania, and the delta territory will be Romanian state property. • Between 1947 -1989 the Romania was under communist governance and except the own property of the household, entire delta territory was administered by the state. • In the present, the territory of Danube Delta became a national and international protected area and includes public ownership land under national control, lands under local government control, and lands privately owned. • As a result of different governace type of this territory we could mention the main antrophic intervention in Danube Delta which started after 1900 when some hydrological works improved mainly the water circulation. • During the Communist period (1947 -1989) the delta was subject to intensive interventions, including massive drainage works aimed at creating large amounts of agricultural land. • The delta has suffered deterioration in habitats and change in species communities caused by the impact of a range of related factors, including: • constructions of dams upstream which has subtly altered the flooding regime. • 1960-1970 is considered to be intensive reed exploitation period, that that is considered to be the first action that damaged delta’ ecosystems • 1970 – 1980 creation of agricultural and fish polders in the delta which reduced the original natural area by over 20% • 1980 -1989 unrolls the programme regarding the integral exploitation of natural resources in Danube Delta that aimed the extension of agricultural areas. • In August 1990, an area of 580,000 ha was declared a biosphere reserve.

7. a) before the intensive interventions b) After building the embankments and channels

8. CHANNELS MAINTENANCEANDDAMMING Period 1880 - 1990

9. The marsh land situation from Danube Delta before and after 1960 year The lakes situation from Danube Delta before and after 1960 year

10. Land Cover (CLC 1990, 2000) • In CLC 1990-2000 analyze, on DDBR, the changes for the land cover categories produced on 0.16 % (910 ha) from the total surface of DDBR. • The main categories which have changed from 1990 to 2000 are: the arable land which were transformed into urban areas and the shrub lands that became woodlands.

11. analyze of stock diversity accounts

12. 112 – urban area121 – Industrial or Commercial Units 131 – Construction Site142 – Sport and Leisure Facilities211 – Non-irrigated Arable Land231 – Pastures 311 – Broad Leaved Forest324 – Transitional woodland-shrub411 – Inland Marshes • In CLC 1990-2000 analyze, on DDBR, the changes for the land cover categories produced on 0.16 % (910 ha) from the total surface of DDBR. • The main categories which have changed from 1990 to 2000 are: the arable land which were transformed into urban areas and the shrub lands that became woodlands.

13. The Land use and land cover assesemnt in DDBR for 2007

14. T.6. Water use and supply Water used for irrigations in 1986-1995 period – million cubic meter • The reduced consume in 1991-1995 was caused because of :lack of electrical energy, the expensive price of pumped water, the absence of the subsidies for the first step in pumping water, unorganized agricultural units in this periode

15. Total amount of surface water/groundwater in 1997 The surface water (danube’s branches, chanels, lakes) are the main source for water from the DDBR, used for personal supply of local people, in industry, irrigations

17. CHANGES OF SEDIMENTS DISCHARGE • Decreased sediment discharge at the delta entrance: • 2138 kg/s (1921-1960) • 1308 kg/s (1971-1980) • 926 kg/s (1981-1990)

18. WATER CHEMISTRY CHANGES DANUBE RIVER DELTA ECOSYSTEMS Water inflow Before 1960 1971-1980 1980-1989 2003-2005 (m3/s) 309 359 620 700 (mg/l) P(PO4) <0,01 0,06 0,07 0,05 (mg/l) 1,5 1,5 0,6 N(NO3) 0,4 P(PO4) inflow 1100 1400 100 700 tons/year N(NO3) inflow 4000 29300 17000 tons/year 13500

19. T12. Counts of ecosystem health Inhabitants evolution in DDBR in 1912-2002 periode

21. Level studies of population in Danube Delta, 2002

22. Economical traditional activities

23. Local people diseases for Danube Deltain 1995 year

25. Tourism in DDBR (1971-1996 periode)

26. MAP OF MAXIMUM POTENTIAL PREASSURE DUE TO TOURISTS IN Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve’s HOTELS

27. The medium level(H,cm) and mineral residuals (mg/l) at Tulcea in 1984-1996 period • The mineralisation degree of Danube water decrease with the increasing levels

28. Variation of azote (NT) and phosphate (m g/l)in Danube’s water, at T ulcea in 1984-1997 periode After 1989 can be observe a drecrease due to reducing use of fertilize substances from agriculture and indsutrial activities

29. Variation of azote (mg/l) and phosphate (mg/l)in Danube’s water, at Sulina in 1984-1997 periode

30. The tendency of the growth of lindane and HCH concentration has been observed since 1996, because of there was approved in 1995 the use of the products LINDAN 400 SC (lindane 400 g/l) and LINDAN 75 TS (lindane 750 g/l) in farming. The residuals of organo-chlorated pesticides (HCH and DDT) are to be found in the Danube at annual average values, which exceed the maximum admitted concentration (MAC) with 30% and respectively 45%. These high values owe mainly to used industrial waters flowed into the Danube as well as the pesticides driven from the farming areas.

31. NR. AREA/ BENEFFICIAR PROJECT NAME PROJECT VALUE (USD) STAGE T14. Maintenance and restoration cost TCC (Tulcea County Council) Rural Development Project (RDP) – Tulcea Implementation Unity Ongoing projects for Danube Delta localities are as follows: 1 SFANTU GHEORGHE Water supply system pumping station rehabilitation for Sfantu Gheorghe locality 223,578 Ongoing – 70% done 2 SFÂNTU GHEORGHE To fit out the access road and accosting wharf for Sfantu Gheorghe locality Auction phase Feasibility study elaboration 3 CHILIA VECHE Water supply system pumping station rehabilitation and to extend this system for entire Chilia Veche locality 231,552 Ongoing – 50% done 4 CHILIA VECHE To pave the main street from Chilia Veche locality Auction phase PT elaborating 5 C.A. ROSETTI To rehabilitate the linking road between C.A.Rosetti and Letea localities Auction phase Works acquisition

32. No. Crt. Beneficiary Contract Value Objective Location 1 SC PROIECT 8,146,000,000 Touristy Pension Mila 47 2 SC TOURING 8,157,091,400 Touristy Pension Crişan Village 3 PFA POPESCU ELIADE FLORENTIN 8,173,000,000 Touristy Pension Băltenii de Jos Village 4 SC STILTOURS Srl 3,439,175,520 Touristy Pension Colina Village 5 SC EST REFLEX Srl 7,255,163,724 Touristy Pension Sarichioi area 6 SC DINAMIC CONSTRUCT SRL 7,234,691,478 Touristy Pension Crişan area 7 SC SINCRON SRL 3,342,812,000 To fit out a floating dormitor Mila 23 8 SC CORMORAN PROD IMPEX SRL 7,271,800,000 Touristy Pension Uzlina Village AGRICULTURE, FOREST AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY Agriculture and Rural Development Department – Tulcea The list of projects financed through SAPARD Program is as follows:

34. Goods Services The goods and services that are provide by Danube Delta’ ecosystems Provisioning Food: fish -local communities rely on fish/fishing that is the most important source of incomes from natural resources - cattle -frogs, shell, fruits (Trapa natans) Fresh water: water accumulation and retention, fresh water and irrigation supply - Danube provides water for household consumption in every Danube Delta’ localities Fuel and fibre: timber from sand forests, and reed having especially household use, aggregates (with industrial use) Genetic resources: for medicine, resistant genes for pathogenic living beings, ornamental species The genetic resource of Danube Delta represents a natural gene bank (5,380 species) with inestimable value for world's natural heritage. Regulating Climate regulation: regulation of green house emissions, of temperatures and precipitations and other chemical process Hydrological regime This wetland assuring a control of hydrologic regime through the natural streams and also a network of artificial canals that were built aiming to improve the water circulation in some parts of the delta. Another important aspect that can be mentioned here are: delta liability to inundation -ground waters sources:, -water for agriculture and industry Pollution control: retention , refreshing and decreasing of pollutants and nutrients excess It could be mentioned selfpurification capacity of the water, the terrestrial and aquatic vegetation having a main role on it Protection against erosion: soil retention and preventing of structural changes, especially sealine shore, and river/canals side Natural hazards: flood control, protection against storm

35. Cultural (Informational) Inspirational and spiritual source; personal feelings, welfare Recreational source: tourism opportunities and recreational activities Educational source: opportunities for educational information and training Within Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority structure there are 3 centers of information, documentation, environmental education placed inside the DDBR territory and Tulcea town. Aesthetic source: appreciation of the natural landscape-the great diversity of aquatic, swamp, terrestrial, river, river-maritime and shore ecosystems and also the cultural heritage of Danube Delta are identified as aesthetic values of DDBR Supporting Biodiversity: DDBR have a high biodiversity value Soil formation -the general characteristic of the delta soils is the reduced development of the soil profile and the slight differentiation of the genetic horizons Nutrients circuit: circulations: stoking, recycling due vegetation that action lake a filter Pollination: support for pollination (offered especially by sand forest, mint and sun flowers crops).