Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation Earth Observation & Surveying, Environment Engineering, Vol. I
Written by Sevastel MIRCEA
The paper presents some aspects concerning two ecological rehabilitation projects that were partly implemented by WWF International – Danube Carpathian Programme within the Lower Prut River Basin region, in the period of years 2003-2006: Elan/Prut River Basin in Romania, respectively “Lower Prut” Scientific Reserve, in Moldova. The Prut River is one of the main tributaries of Danube River and it forms the border between Romania and Moldova, in South-Eastern part of Europe. The Lower Prut floodplain in Moldova, with a total surface of 19,125 ha, contains about 6,114 ha of wetland habitats which are officially designated under the Ramsar Convention as being a Wetland of International Importance. The floodplain has also a regional importance due to presence of an impressive list of rare and threatened species of flora and fauna, including herons, egrets, cormorants, storks, swans and the globally threatened White pelican, as well as for flood control, nutrients and sediment mitigation and groundwater recharge. The site contains the largest natural lakes in Moldova, Beleu and Manta, which are unique ecosystems, described by some scientists as being part of the last natural floodplains in the Lower Danube River. Being aware by the global importance of these wetlands, the Moldavian Government has created in 1991 the Lower Prut Scientific Reserve, located at the lower stretch of the river to its confluence with the Danube. The Reserve, with a total surface of 1,691 ha, is covered by about two thirds by lake and one third is represented by alluvial forests (mainly willows). The main purpose of creating the Reserve was to protect the valuable ecosystems mentioned above. The Reserve is also an important component of the biggest freshwater programme in the region, called Lower Danube Green Corridor (LDGC). The LDGC declaration, signed in 2000 in Bucharest, between Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova, aims to help creation an integrated ecological network of healthy, restored and protected wetlands, of about 900,000 ha along the Lower Danube River and to promote sustainable socio-economic development in the area.
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{tag}meta name="citation_title" content="Wetland restoration programs in the Prut River Basin"{/tag} {tag}meta name="citation_journal_title" content="Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation Earth Observation & Surveying, Environment Engineering"{/tag} {tag}meta name="citation_publication_date" content="2012"{/tag} {tag}meta name="citation_author" content="Sevastel MIRCEA" {/tag}
biodiversity
