General National Id Romania_02 Site name Danube, Danube Delta Summary The Babina polder (2.100 ha), in Romania, was reconnected to the Danube in 1994 and recovery has been monitored by the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development. Within a few years a redevelopment of the site-specific biodiversity occurred and ecosystem services like nutrient retention and fish recruitment became obvious. Additionally, the reconnected polder enable reed harvesting, grazing, fishing and ecotourism. Light or indepth? Light NUTS Code Sud-Est RBD code RO1000 Transboundary 0 Data provider Imola Koszta, RECBogdan Barbu, REC Source(s) Case study:The Babina Restoration Project Evolution of Babina polder after restoration works NWRM(s) implemented in the case study Floodplain restoration and management Wetland restoration and management Reconnection of oxbow lakes and similar features Longitude 29.411667 Latitude 45.424722 Site information Climate zone warm temperate moist Mean rainfall 375 Mean rainfall unit mm/year Average temperature 11,5 Type Case Study Info Average slope range 0-1% Vegetation class grasses Monitoring maintenance Monitoring impacts effects 1 Monitoring parameters Hydromorphological quality elements (hydrological regime and sediment transport); Biological quality elements (limnological studies conducted in consideration of phyto- and zooplankton, macrozoobenthos, phytophile fauna, fish and aquatic vegetation etc); Physico-chemical quality elements (nutrient retention and transformation); socio-economic (evaluation of the grassland and its usability by the local population; analysis with regard to a possible use of the agricultural potential for eco-tourism) Performance Performance impact estimation method Edge of Field/Plot Performance impact estimation information Field measurements; to monitor the area†™s filter function as for the solid matters suspended in the water, water samplings were taken. The limnological samples were taken within the frame of five field studies, together with the studies on terrestrial and aquatic macrophytes as well as terrestrial and semi-aquatic macroinvertebrates. The sampling sites of the studied area were determined in a way to include all types of waters. Evaluation of reed areas available for sustainable use have been identified by means of remote sensing and on-site surveys. Spatial data of the TM Mapper type have been used for the investigation area. Design & implementations Application scale Field Scale Installation date 1994-05 Lifespan 50 Age 10 Performance timescale 1 - 4 years Area (ha) 2100 Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha) 2100 Design capacity description n/a Constraints n.a. Favourable preconditions n.a. Design contractual arrangement Arrangement type Responsibility Role Comments Name Design consultation activity Activity stage Key issues Name Comments Design land use change Land use change type Design authority Authority type Role Responsibility Name Comments Monitoring The Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea subunit of the National Institute for Research and Development for Environmental Protection Implementation The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority Public institution, subordinated to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change WWF Germany Lessons, risks, implications... Key lessons The restored area is one of the perfect showcase for the redevelopment and broadening of natural habitats for fish, birds and further species that may contribute to the expansion of the Natura 2000 network. Success factor(s) Success factor type Success factor role Comments Successful coordination between authorities main factor Financing Financing type Comments n.a. info Barrier Barrier type Barrier role Comments n.a. Driver Driver type Driver role Comments Balancing different objectives main driver Ecological reconstruction/restoration to restore the natural, site-specific hydrological, biogeochemical and ecological functions, to ensure the redevelopment of the ecosystem and its functions and thus to promote the development of site-specific habitats and their biodiversity. Moreover, the redevelopment of the natural resources should enable the local populations to proceed to their sustainable, traditional use. Financing share Financing share type Share Comments Policy, general governance and design targets Policy description Reconnection of polder Babina, formerly destined for agricultural purposes, to the flood regime of the Danube. Part of wider plan 1 Policy target Target purpose Improved Biodiversity Pollutants Removal Runoff control Oher Societal Benefits Erosion Control Policy pressure Pressure directive Relevant pressure Policy area Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments Secondary Water Policy - Floods Directive Policy impact Impact directive Relevant impact Policy wider plan Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments Management master plan for the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Policy requirement directive Requirement directive Specification Socio-economic Direct benefits information New habitats for plants and animals, broader spawning grounds for fish as well as extended habitats for aquatic birds, hydrological dynamics and water storage, sediment retention, fixing of toxic substances and an important function as biofilter for the Black Sea.. All these generating remarkable economic benefits. They result in considerable amounts of fish, reed, medicinal plants Ancillary benefits information Interesting aquatic landscapes for tourists thus may increase ecotourism in the area. Costs investment information n.a. info Costs operation maintenance n.a. info Costs total 2407000 Costs total information n.a. info Ecosystem improved biodiversity 1 Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity Rich and abundant zooplankton community that provides an excellent food source to fish. the fish fauna of Babina island found its own level with 29 species. The high diversity of macro- and microhabitats in the terrestrial and semi-aquatic area allow the reactivation of an extremely high biodiversity especially with regard to the arthropode fauna. The species spread along ecological gradients that cover a broad range between arid and moist. The reestablishment of site-characteristic habitats and food sources has also been to the benefit of both the European mink (Mustela lutreola) and the European otter (Lutra lutra). Ecosystem provisioning services 1 Information on Ecosystem provisioning services The development and stabilization of the fish populations involve the use of fish resources and their socio-economic significance for the local populations. Ecosystem impact climate regulation No information available Information on Ecosystem impact climate regulation n.a. info Biophysical impacts Information on retained water n.a. Information on increased water storage n.a. Information on runoff reduction n.a. Ecosystem erosion control 1 Information on Ecosystem erosion control At the opening level the sedimentation of suspended solids formed a layer of 0.60-2.17 m height between 1996-2003. The erosion process is less intense. Solid matters resulting from erosion become sedimentation material for the next and longest part of the canal, where water velocity is low. Water quality overall improvements Positive impact-WQ improvement Information on Water quality overall improvements A definitely positive effect of nutrient reduction is a reduced eutrophication in the restoration area which is also to the benefit of the Black Sea. Phosphorus arrives in the area with the spring floods and is retained in the reedbeds. In summer time this phosphorus allows the growth of phytoplankton and macrophytes. Information on Water quality Improvements (N) 229.4 tons of N/year (Total reduction N ) Soil quality overall soil improvements N/A info Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements n.a. info Full Context Pathway(aka Context) Default view Area(aka Level or Site) ALL