PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Pigmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) and the Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) are two species of birds that are commonly found in Europe but whose numbers are steadily declining. This decline, which has led them to be considered priority species, is due to the destruction of their habitat and the loss of wetland caused by the disruption of hydrological regime and conversion to arable land. The unsustainable management of fishponds and the shooting by fishermen are also important factors in the population decline of these two species. The Phalacrocorax pygmeus and the Aythya nyroca particularly need protection along the lower Danube in Romania and Bulgaria where sustainable conservation measures are not considered a priority. The project identified 11 key Natura 200 sites along the lower Danube where degradation, restriction and disturbance of the breeding, feeding and wintering areas are critical threats.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the LIFE Green Border project was to achieve and maintain favourable conservation status for both the Phalacrocorax pygmeus and the Aythya nyroca in Romania and Bulgaria. The pygmy cormorant and the ferruginous duck get some protection within the Danube Delta’s biosphere reserve but are not protected throughout the rest of its range along the lower Danube. They use the inland wetlands for breeding, feeding and wintering, and are dependent on the conservation of this natural habitat.
Specifically the project sought to coordinate the conservation efforts for the two target priority species on both sides of the Danube and to increase the knowledge about the species status and their ecological needs. The key aim of the project was to improve breeding and feeding conditions for the species at key sites and ensure that they were disturbance free. To achieve this it implemented best management practices for fishponds, reedbeds, forests and wetlands and improved the ecological status of the wetlands used as breeding and feeding sites.
RESULTS
The LIFE Green Border project successfully achieved its objective of improving and maintaining the favourable conservation status for the two priority bird species in Romania and Bulgaria by implementing best management practices for fishponds, reedbeds, forests and wetlands. It achieved this by better coordinating the conservation efforts for the two species through improved cross-border management of the Natura 2000 network along the lower Danube and by raising awareness among stakeholders in both countries of the need to improve the species status and respects their ecological needs. Four key breeding sites have seen the mortality rate for the pygmy cormorant and the ferruginous duck due to hunting and fishing stop totally thanks to the awareness raising work carried out by the project.
The project achieved even more than what it had set out to do. For example, the following results were reached:
The project improved the conservation status for 11 Natura 2000 sites covering some 75.066 ha and contributed to the nature conservation and environmental protection of a region that includes many of Europe’s most spectacular remaining wilderness areas.
The project also contributed to the implementation of the Fisheries Operational Programme in Romania and Bulgaria while the wetland restoration work was used both to demonstrate the importance of flood plains as non-structural measures under the Flood Directive and to improve water quality as called for by the Water Directive. The project contributed to the Partnership Agreement between Romania and Bulgaria with the EU for the next programming period by ensuring a better integration of synergies between different programmes focused on biodiversity conservation measures for preventing/mitigating the negative impacts of investments on biodiversity and Natura 2000 sites.
Thanks to Green Borders, those working in fish farms are now aware that environmentally-friendly fishing is not only just as profitable but is also better in the long term than intensive fishing.
