Cooperations

The transnational cooperation based on the ETC-SEE project “DANUBEPARKS” focus on following agenda:

1. River Morphology & revitalization

Plans to make the Danube a major transport corridor under EU Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) guidelines are putting the river's natural heritage at risk. Pilot projects have shown high potential for river revitalisation compatible with navigation and flood protection. Protected Areas have experience in river revitalisation in their specific regions.

Yet on a basin-wide scale, the potential of river revitalisation as well as the ecological needs for sustainable development of navigation and flood protection have yet to be defined in a concrete and manageable way; thus the call by ICPDR and Danube Commission for a basin-wide integrated planning process (“Joint Statement on Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection”). In a task force, Protected Areas' experience and expert knowledge are merged to draw up strategic papers and joint concepts. Strategic cross-border pilot projects are being planned and will, in part, be implemented.

2. Floodplain Management & Habitat Network

Protected Areas act as stepping stones in the network of habitats and, therefore, play an important role in the implementation of NATURA 2000. The Protected Areas represent a relevant number of all sites at the Danube river which enables the "Danube River Network of Protected Areas" to work on habitat networks on a transnational scale. Coordination and know-how transfer through task force is to ensure cohesion of habitat network and to widen the horizon in management issues. Based on joint guidelines, management plans for selected areas will be elaborated. Pilot projects of transnational relevance in managing and restoring floodplains and improving habitat connectivity will be implemented.

3. Conservation of Danube flagship species

Conservation programmes launched by DANUBEPARKS focus on selected flagship species (White-tailed Eagle and Danube sturgeons). Although several Protected Areas are active in the conservation of these species, they cannot be protected by a single Protected Area. The Action Plan for Danube sturgeons (supported by Council of Europe) and International White-tailed Eagle conferences stress the necessity of transnational cooperation.

Based on the recommondations of experts of the task force "birds", a transnational conservation strategy will be drawn up for the White-tailed Eagle, including the implementation of concrete conservation measures within this project. The task force "fish" will focus on the preparation of a transnational LIFE+ project to initiate transnational, coordinated conservation measures for the critically threatened Danube sturgeon. All conservation measures will be accompanied by activities for raising public awareness.

4. Monitoring & NATURA 2000

NATURA 2000 is a European network of protected habitats. Transnational cooperation is essential for its implementation. All project partners represent NATURA 2000 sites, in total covering a high number and a relevant area of all sites at Danube river. Due to comparable frame conditions Danube Protected Areas work on similar monitoring programmes and NATURA 2000 issues, generally on local level. Transnational cooperation is needed to strengthen each Protected Area in these efforts and to ensure coherence.

Based on know-how transfer among all partners, “DANUBEPARKS” aims to create joint monitoring concepts. Pilot projects will be implemented (Danube-wide monitoring of selected bird species, establishment of a transnational fish database, monitoring activities on selected mammal species). Pilot projects intend to establish indicators for river dynamics in the monitoring system for the Water Framework Directive. The findings of the monitoring are likely to play an important role in raising public awareness and will be presented by various media.

5. Danube Nature Tourism

In the last years, many Protected Areas have changed their policy step-by-step to act less as a "legal authority" but turning towards a more stakeholder oriented management. Protected Areas are becoming active players in the sustainable development of regions. One key factor in this process is the development of nature tourism involving a wide range of partners and stakeholders. Nature tourism is a key element to fulfill the educational mission of Protected Areas as well as an essential tool to raise public awareness and gain acceptance for conservation. It can be an important source of income for the region, especially because most Protected Areas are located in less developed regions.

As a distinctive feature Protected Areas should offer the opportunity for deep personal outdoor experience. “DANUBEPARKS” aims to develop a common brand of Danube nature tourism based on the beauty and value of Danube nature, tradition, and culture.