Facts & Figures

Network & Internationality

The Danube River, also called Donau, Dunărea, Dunav, Duna, or Dunaj, is one of the most international rivers of the World. The catchment area includes 19 countries. The river has a length of 2888 km and is the second longest river in Europe passing 10 countries.

Therefore the Danube River Network of Protected Areas is also really international - including 12 Reserves in 8 countries (status as of March 2009).

Network & Categories

The Protected Areas within the Network show different protection status and categories: National parks, Biosphere Reserves, Special protected areas, Special Zoological Reserves, and Protected Landscape Areas. Many of the areas include more than one category in that specific area.

Including the Areas into a network does not mean a new category of protection – it should be a new quality in conservation via international cooperation.

Network of Protected Areas at the Danube – Conservation on a large scale?

At the Danube you can find Protected Areas small in size as well as large reserves like the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve with more than 45.000 hectares. For an initial step the Network of the “DANUBEPARKS” mainly includes the larger Protected Areas.

Protected Areas & River dynamic

Some of the Protected Areas preserve river sections with a still existing hydromorphological dynamic. Some of the Protected Areas at the Danube even represent the last remaining river sections with free flowing water without a hydroelectric power plants in their areas. Some of the areas have been protected due to protests against dam projects. On the other hand there are Protected Areas with direct influence by hydroelectric power plants.
Therefore adequate water management is necessary and reaches from strict conservation to restoration - being a mix of both in most areas.

Network & stepping stones

The Floodplain of the Danube is already reduced to a minimum. In comparison with the historical situation, 80% of floodplain wetlands got lost by dams, regulation, or drainage. Actually the active floodplain at the Danube covers about 7,500 km2. The pressure on these remaining areas is high and most are influenced by several ways of intensive landuse.

According to this, the Protected Areas at the Danube River are of high importance - serving as stepping stones for flora and fauna and as well visual experience for humans.

Network & Biodiversity

The Danube River inhabits a rich biodiversity. Some species find their last retreat in the Protected Areas, other species have their main population in the Protected Areas. There is no doubt that the Protected Areas play an essential role for the protection of biodiversity. But for many species even the large Protected Areas are not big enough for their protection, especially for organisms with large territories and migratory species, hence the need for transnational conservation measures.