The Danube river
forms an ecological corridor of European importance. While Danube Protected
Areas preserve the most valuable sites, habitat fragmentation limits efforts to
preserve a cohesive ecosystem. During the project DANUBEparksCONNECTED several
important campaigns were launched to strengthen ecological connectivity in all
elements water (WILDisland), air (DANUBE FREE SKY) and land (Danube Dry Habitat
Corridor, Danube Riparian Forests Corridor).
WILDisland
The WILDisland
initiative has developed to a best practice example for EU Green
Infrastructure, supported on policy level. The first inventory of Danube
islands, flagship sites for intact river ecosystems, prepared the base for
conservation and restoration actions, jointly with the waterway sector.
Find more about WILDisland HERE.
DANUBE FREE SKY
The Danube is an
important flyway for bird migration. Each year, tens of thousands of birds are
killed at powerlines. DANUBE FREE SKY raised the awareness, build the
cooperation between energy and conservation sector, and triggered extensive
investments by powerline operators for bird conservation at powerlines, as best
practice for large rivers in Europe. Facing the impact of climate change, the
Danube Dry Habitat eco-corridor becomes increasingly important. A Danube-wide
Strategy has been elaborated, successful pilot actions contributed to its
implementation.
Find more about DANUBE FREE SKY HERE.
Danube Dry Habitat Corridor
Dry habitats play
crucial role in sustaining biodiversity by harbouring many rare and endangered
species. Unfortunately, these dry habitat patches are very often reduced to
small remanants in the floodplain areas, resulting in isolation and habitat
fragmentation.
The Memorandum of
Cooperation signed between the Danube Canyon Administrations prepares the
platform for future cooperation on this field.
Find more about Danube Dry Habitat Corridor HERE.
Danube Riparian Forest Corridor
Also, the Danube riparian forest corridor resulted in a conservation strategy for soft wood forests, as base for follow-up actions within LIFE WILDisland project. The study tour provided a deep insight into Danube riparian forest management. Successful pilot actions have been implemented.
Find more about Danube Riparian Forest Corridor HERE.