about the Danube Region Ecological problems along the river Danube

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1 Protecting the Environment in the Danube Region PA6: Preserving biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils about the Danube Region Ecological problems along the river Danube Dr. Florian Ballnus Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health Munich Priority Area Coordinator Vienna, 20. December 2011

2 The Danube Region The Danube Region: 14 Countries. 100 Mio. Inhabitants. Home for pelicans, wolves, lynx and bears, in some of their last remaining territories in the EU. Almost species live on the banks of the Danube. Wetlands, meadows and forests are featured in the landscape along the Danube. These vulnerable areas are rich in biodiversity. Biodiversity is a precious natural heritage and a source of wellbeing and prosperity. Strong need to restore and reconnect habitats and develop protected areas, e.g. Natura 2000 sites. ap reference:

3 The Danube Important habitat for Europe As the only European river system, the Danube flows from west to east. It connects Western Europe with the Black Sea and crosses a variety of different habitats. Danube touches five bio-geographic regions of Europe. The Danube valley touches many natural areas and is therefore a connecting corridor between the different landscapes. Danube has great significance for animal migrations, particularly for migratory fish. Migratory birds use the Danube River as a major axis on the way south or north. A variety of areas along the Danube are suitable for resting, culmination in Danube Delta. The corridor function results in a large diversity of species and habitats along the Danube River.

4 The Danube in Bavaria The Danube runs on 385 km through Bavaria, neighboring 12 districts and 4 big cities (Neu-Ulm, Ingolstadt, Regensburg, Passau). The Bavarian Danube drainage system encloses 68% ( km²) of the total space of Bavaria and 67% (8.3 Mio) of Bavaria's population. The Danube runs through a variety of different natural and cultural spaces in Bavaria, e.g.: Donauried: one of the most valuable open spaces in Bavaria Donaumoos: Large parts of Danube Riparian Forest in river branches (e.g. district Neuburg-Schrobenhausen) Dungau: extensive used cultural landscape, high agricultural intensity ( corn chamber of Bavaria )

5 The Danube in Bavaria Donauried Donaumoos Dungau Map reference:

6 The Danube in Bavaria The following habitats can be found in the Bavarian part of the Danube: Riparian Forests (Auwald) Cane brakes (Röhrichte), Low moore (Niedermoor) Oxbows (Altwasser) Marsh areas (Feuchtwiese).

7 The Danube in Bavaria - Mammals Some important typical mammals are Eurasian Water Shrew (Wasserspitzmaus Neomys fodiens) Daubenton's Bat (Wasserfledermaus Myotis daubentonii) Whiskered Bat (Kleine Bartfledermaus Myotis mystacinus) European Otter (Fischotter Lutra lutra) Beaver (Biber Castor fiber)

8 The Danube in Bavaria - Birds Bavarian Danube parts are important for ground breeders, especially for: Eurasian Curlew (Großer Brachvogel Numenius arquata) Black-tailed Godwit (Uferschnepfe Limosa limosa) Redshank (Rotschenkel Tringa totanus) Common Snipe (Bekassine Gallinago gallinago) Whinchat (Braunkehlchen Saxicola rubetra) Further important typical birds are Purple Heron (Purpurreiher Ardea purpurea) Whooper Swan (Singschwan Cygnus cygnus) Eurasian Teal (Krickente Anas crecca) Grey-headed Woodpecker (Grauspecht Picus canus)

9 The Danube in Bavaria - Fishes Fishes in the Bavarian Parts of the Danube Bavarian part of the Danube include 60 different types of fish species. The majority is autochthon, 14 allochthon species can be found here as well. They were intruded by ballast water from ships or by stocking measures. There are 12 endemic fish species in the Danube river: Schraetzer, Streber, Zingel, Danube Roach (Frauennerfling), Zobel, Donau- Kaulbarsch, Sterlet, Huchen, Donau-Stromgründling, Steingressling, Perlfisch, Donau-Neunauge

10 The Danube in Bavaria Challenges for Biodiversity and Nature Protection in the Bavarian Danube Area Changes from the natural and free floating river system due to human impacts Human utilizations in the Danube River include: Hydro Power Flood protection and land gaining measures River straightening for inland navigation Land use intensification and urban sprawl

11 The Danube in Bavaria Impacts lead to: Loss of habitats, esp. riparian forests, wet meadows Fragmentation of ecosystems Loss of animal and plant species Loss of fish stock due to crossing barrages, dams and other buildings, lack of permeability of the river, crossing constructions strongly hamper migratory fish. straightening of river banks reduced flow velocity, which leads to sedimentation nutrient inputs and warmth hydro power and shipping

12 regional Danube Nature Protection Framework in the Danube Region Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (1992) Strategic Plan for Biodiversity , including Aichi Biodiversity Targets EU Biodiversity strategy 2020 (2011) Natura 2000 Water Framework Directive (2000) Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable use of the Danube River (Danube River Protection Convention) (1994) - International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) Bavarian Biodiversity Strategy (2008): Protection of Biodiversity Protection and preservation of habitats Improvement of ecological connectivity Environmental Education EU international EU Strategy for the Danube Region

13 The four Pillars of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region Pillar 1: Connecting the Danube Region PAC 1 Mobility Pillar 2: Protecting the Environment in the Danube Region PAC 4 Water Quality PAC 5 Environmental Risks PAC 6 Biodiversity Close cooperation concerning projects, actors, events, PR Cooperative approach concerning project labeling, finding appropriate funding programmes Meetings of PACs according to needs Pillar 3: Building Prosperity in the Danube Region PAC 7 Knowledge Society PAC 2 Energy PAC 8 Competiveness PAC 3 Culture and Tourism PAC 9 People and Skills Each Priority Area is coordinated by two PAC. Overall cooperation to ensure synergies, long-term commitment and ownership. Pillar 4: Strengthening the Danube Region PAC 10 Institutional Capacity PAC 11 Security

14 Targets of PA6 PRIORITY AREA 6 Preserving biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils Targets of Prirority Area 6 To halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU nature legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement, adapted to the special needs of the Danube Region by By 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems, including degraded soils. By 2020, Invasive Alien Species and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS. Secure viable populations of Danube sturgeon species and other indigenous fish species by 2020.

15 Action Plan for PA6 ACTION PLAN of EUSDR for PA6 Preservation of biodiversity and landscapes: To contribute to the 2050 EU vision and 2020 EU target for biodiversity To manage Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas effectively To protect and restore most valuable ecosystems and endangered animal species To explore together the appropriateness of reviewing the Convention Concerning Fishing in the Waters of the Danube To develop green infrastructure in order to connect different bio-geographic regions and habitats To reduce the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) To decrease the input of pesticides into the environment of the Danube Region To remove safely obsolete pesticides and other obsolete chemicals in the area of Danube Region To prepare and implement transnational spatial planning and development policies for functional geographical areas (river basins, mountain ranges etc.)

16 Action Plan for PA6 ACTION PLAN of EUSDR for PA6 (cont.) Preservation and improvement of the quality of soils: To ensure appropriate treatment of solid waste To create standardised and compatible information on land cover on transnational basis To raise awareness about soil protection Improvement of air quality: To decrease air pollutants Education of people on the value of natural assets, ecosystems and the services they provide: To raise awareness of the general public, by acknowledging and promoting the potentials of natural assets as drivers of sustainable regional development To educate children and young people To build capacities of local authorities in the environment-related matters

17 Organisation Chart of PA6 Pillar Environment PAC 4 Water Quality PAC 5 Environmental Risks PAC 6 Biodiversity Close cooperation concerning projects, actors, events, PR Cooperative approach concerning project labeling, finding appropriate funding programmes Meetings of PACs according to needs Interact Lab Group Funding Programmes DG ENV DG REGIO PAC Bavaria ICPDR PA6 Steering Group: Members from all participating countries PA6 operative implementation. Carpathian Conv. PAC Croatia Project Level Actor Actor Actor Actor

18 Overall Organisation Chart Policy Coordination Council European Commission Reference: Working Paper Governance structure Danube strategy provided by the Hungarian EU Presidency at the Joint meeting of the National Contact Points and Priority Area Coordinators of the EUSDR; Gödöllö, May 2011 High Level Group National Contact Points Implementation Funding Programme Funding Programme Funding Programme Funding Programme Interact Lab Group PAC 2 PAC + 14 members of Steering Group + EC Working Groups Thematic Seminars Project Project Project Annual Forum All relevant Stakeholders Project Project

19 Implementation Food for thought Cooperation and Coordination is the key to successfully implement the EUSDR Cooperation in the Environmental Pillar II is developing very well. Biodiversity is strongly connected to other Priority Areas (e.g. Transport, Energy), cooperation must be enhanced here as well. Biodiversity and Nature Protection issues and activities are strongly driven by NGOs Commitment on local level and public awareness is crucial! Capitalization of existing initiatives, projects and networks seems to be reasonable. Development of new projects and initiatives based on gap analysis. Establishment of an efficient network of contact points as multiplicators is needed.

20 Contacts Thank you for your attention! Dr. Florian Ballnus Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health Rosenkavalierplatz München Germany Phone: +49 (0) florian.ballnus@stmug.bayern.de