The Danube islands as well as gravel and sand banks all along the Danube are of outstanding value for nature conservation, e.g. as habitats for indicator species of river dynamics.
Danube islands are dynamic habitats and natural processes are the key for their preservation. To a great extent, there is a joint understanding that wilderness and non-intervention management is to be seen as the best approach to ensure the habitat quality of the Danube islands in the long-term. Beside this, islands can act as stepping stones along the river, contributing to raise habitat connectivity. Finally, the conservation of Danube islands is to be seen as a clear statement for hydro-morphological processes and an intact sediment regime – some of the most determining factors for an intact river ecosystem in general.
Consequently, DANUBEPARKS launched an initiative towards the establishment of a Danube Wild Island Corridor. Considering the Danube as a multifunctional system, the WILDisland initiative is based on a cross-sectorial approach, integrating relevant stakeholders and land managers.Requirements for the international waterway, flood protection but also commercial interests by forestry enterprises are to be taken into consideration for the elaboration of the detailed concept in the course of DANUBEparksCONNECTED.