PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Orsini's viper (Vipera ursinii) - also known as the meadow viper - is a reptile characteristic of pastureland in the southern part of Central and Eastern Europe. The species lives in many small, isolated populations and is thus characterised by a high degree of genetic variability. In Romania, there are five major populations of this viper, which is listed in Annex II to the Habitats Directive and strictly protected by the Bern Convention. The populations being small and isolated, this highly vulnerable species is regarded as threatened throughout the area of its distribution. In Romania, all the populations are on the decline. A reduction of the populations has been detected in the last 15 years mainly due to habitat loss. The populations in the Danube Delta, in particular the one present in the Perisor area (estimated at about 1,800 individuals), are probably the only viable populations left in Romania. The major threats stem from the poor management of its habitats which have been subjected to overgrazing, the presence of predators such as pigs and pheasants, and illegal capture.
OBJECTIVES
The project aimed to draw-up an action plan for the conservation of the Romanian meadow viper, to preserve the major populations in the Danube Delta. The action plan was to be drawn up on the basis of studies concerning the species and its populations, its current and potential habitats and the type of management being practised. The putting into practice of these direct conservation measures would require the payment of compensation and the establishment of management contracts with local landowners so that they adapt their mode of exploitation to conservation objectives. A system would be set up to safeguard areas vital to the viper to prevent livestock from entering them, together with a surveillance system. The action plan would be distributed to all the actors concerned. A system to monitor the evolution of the species would be established to evaluate the effects of the action plan.
RESULTS
The project has achieved some important results. Knowledge on the viper populations in the area has significantly improved thanks to the surveys carried out by the project and important steps for the protection of the main populations were taken. A management plan for the conservation of the species was prepared and approved. In addition, the declaration of a strictly protected area where the main viper population is found (Perisor) and for the enlargement of the second most important area for the species (Saraturi) was approved by the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority. A workshop on the target species was held in March 2002 with the participation of conservation managers and specialists from different institutions. Moreover, 1,000 copies of a booklet on the project and the target species (distribution, ecology, morphology, behaviour, etc.) were produced and distributed to the main stakeholders in the Danube Delta area, to representatives of scientific institutions, local, regional and national authorities, as well as foreign environmental institutions. Furthermore, an exhibition on meadow vipers was organised at the Danube Delta Research Institute, from July to October 2001, to allow the public a direct contact with the species. However, the efforts started with the LIFE-Nature support should be continued. In particular, the management plan should be effectively implemented and the monitoring of the two populations in the Danube Delta (Saraturi and Perisor) should be maintained to detect future evolution trends.The project has achieved some important results. Knowledge on the viper populations in the area has significantly improved thanks to the surveys carried out by the project and important steps for the protection of the main populations were taken. A management plan for the conservation of the species was prepared and approved. In addition, the declaration of a strictly protected area where the main viper population is found (Perisor) and for the enlargement of the second most important area for the species (Saraturi) was approved by the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority. A workshop on the target species was held in March 2002 with the participation of conservation managers and specialists from different institutions. Moreover, 1,000 copies of a booklet on the project and the target species (distribution, ecology, morphology, behaviour, etc.) were produced and distributed to the main stakeholders in the Danube Delta area, to representatives of scientific institutions, local, regional and national authorities, as well as foreign environmental institutions. Furthermore, an exhibition on meadow vipers was organised at the Danube Delta Research Institute, from July to October 2001, to allow the public a direct contact with the species. However, the efforts started with the LIFE-Nature support should be continued. In particular, the management plan should be effectively implemented and the monitoring of the two populations in the Danube Delta (Saraturi and Perisor) should be maintained to detect future evolution trends.
