PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Located in southwest Romania, the Natura 2000 network site Danube water course Bazias Iron Gates includes a large area of priority habitats for the pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus). It is also an important stopover point for migrating birds. The pygmy cormorant is one of 23 bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive found at the site, which is also home to three amphibian species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata and Bufo bufo), a reptile, the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and four fish species (Gymnocephalus schraetzer, Gymnocephalus baloni, Zingel streber and Zingel zingel). The area is threatened by eutrophication, aquatic invasive alien species, habitat degradation, unsuitable fishing and wetlands pollution. A lack of understanding of the importance of the Natura 2000 network is another difficulty.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the Iron Gates wetlands project was to provide long-term Favourable Conservation Status for priority for conservation species and their habitats in the Natura 2000 site Danube water course Bazias Iron Gates, by implementing and disseminating state-of-the-art conservation measures. The project aimed to restore river habitats, as nesting, resting and feeding areas for bird species. The actions will directly benefit two Annex I-listed birdspecies of the Birds Directive, pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) and ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) in the Natura 2000 site. The project also aimed to improve the conservation status of priority habitats by demonstrating the removal of aquatic and riverside invasive species, implementing a modern early warning system for invasive alien species, and increasing public awareness of the importance of biodiversity in the Natura 2000 site.
RESULTS
The Iron Gates wetlands project paved the way for improvements in the conservation status of species and habitats in the Danube water course Bazias Iron Gates Natura 2000 network site in south-west Romania, which has been classified as the third most important bird area in Romania. This site contains large areas of priority habitats listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive, where core populations of two Annex I-listed species of the Birds Directive occur - pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) and ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca). The project team implemented and demonstrated conservation measures to restore wetland habitats.
An important component of wetland habitat restoration is aquatic weed removal. To determine the weed harvesting safety area (e.g. limits, depths, bottom structure), the project performed bathymetric mapping and hydrological characteristics of wetlands using high-performance cartographic methods based on sub-metric GPS. The mapping actions were conducted especially in seven areas of the Natura 2000 site (Gurile Nerei, Calinovat Island, Divici, Pojejena, Moldova Noua, Liborajdea, and Cozla).
The project beneficiaries conducted weed harvesting activities in Calinovat, Divici, Pojejena, Susca, Moldova Noua, and Liborajdea wetlands. These activities were organised in four sessions to reduce total biomass and especially eliminate aquatic invasive alien species. Also, two sessions along the Danube River were performed with Natura 2000 administrators and managers trained to transfer the method to further areas they work in.
Eliminating invasive alien trees species (Robinia pseudoaccacia, Rhus hirta and Alianthus altissima) was realised by identifying growth areas, tree marking, cutting, extraction and transportation to warehouse areas. Furthermore, leaves and seeds were collected and burnt to reduce dissemination possibilities. The wood obtained was donated to schools located in the project area. Live traps were also installed for eliminating an invasive alien predator, American mink (Neovison vison), in the areas used by pygmy cormorant for feeding and resting.
The project team enlarged riparian habitat areas, particularly the habitats types Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (91E0*) and Salix alba and Populus alba galleries (92A0), for example, by planting 55 ha with Salix alba. After removal of invasive species, the trees were planted following the plan designed by the beneficiary in three planting steps, with planting in the first year and maintenance during the following two years. Beneficiaries implemented a range of conservation actions to restore habitats to sustain the pygmy cormorant population, including using 100 posts that could accommodate 700 pygmy cormorants and installing 160 decoys on posts. A special designed harvester was used to eradicate invasive trees (Ailanthus altissima and Amorpha fruticosa) on 55 ha in the Iron Gates wetlands.
The project is highly relevant to the implementation of the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive in Romania. Moreover, the project results comply and contribute directly to the European Action Plan for the Danube. All the project findings were included in the Management Plan of the Iron Gates Natural Park, which represents the approved governmental policy for the project areas. By implementing the project, Aythya nyroca was included in the site Standard Data Form (SDF) of the Iron Gates Natura 2000 site; this means that at EU level species range data has increased.
Iron Gates wetlands results promote long-term financial sustainability for stakeholders who are mainly dependent on fishing and tourism in the project area, as a direct result of invasive species eradication from ponds. By installing nature trails, local and national tourist companies, especially those focused on nature such as bird watching tours, can now provide supplementary services with the potential to increase the number of people employed.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
