Conservation and management
Danube
floodplain forests
of
Background
Giant power of the Danube River has enabled
development of the various life forms in floodplain
forests. Danube has created network of river
branches, swamps, islands covered by dense
forests with climbers and creepers and thousands
of plant and animal species. Floodplain forests are
equivalent of rainforests in Central Europe.
And they are also equally endangered.
Recently the Danube floodplain forests cover
only the narrow belt along the Danube River
and present only fragments from the area which
they covered in the past. Floodplain forests
belong to the most threatened forest ecosystems.
Danube floodplain represents the largest area
of floodplain forests in Slovakia. Floodplain
forests are represented by two habitat types
according to Annex I of the Habitats Directive
– residual alluvial forests (91 E0*) and mixed
oak-elm-ash forests (91 F0).
System of river branches, oxbows and forests
located on the section of the Danube River
downstream from Bratislava capital city represents
the largest inland delta in Europe. Danube
floodplains were jungle full of life of fishes,
amphibians, insects and paradise for birds.
Majority of floodplain forests has been destroyed
by regulation of water courses and construction
of big dams. Excessive logging, large scale clearcuts and plantation of non-native hybrid poplars
caused, that only last fragments of the natural
floodplain forests remained. These forests are still
endangered.
All these facts have brought us to protection
of floodplain forests, writing and implementation
of the project „Conservation and management
of Danube floodplain forests“.
Danube floodplains at Bodíky and Baka.
Photo: Z. Füzfa. (www.pisztrangkor.hu)
Basic
project data
Project title: LIFE03NAT/SK/000097
„Conservation and management
of Danube floodplain forests“
Starting date: 01/09/2003
Ending date: 31/03/2007
Project beneficiary: BROZ – Regional Association for Nature
Conservation and Sustainable Development
Project partners: • State Nature Conservancy of Slovak Republic –
Administration of the Protected Landscape
Area Danube floodplains
• National park Donau- Auen, Austria
Total project budget: 570 000 EURO
EU financial contribution: 370 500 EURO (65%)
Financial contribution of beneficiary and partners: 199 500 EURO (35%)
Objective
Project objective is to preserve last remaining natural floodplain forests in Slovak part
of the Danube floodplain and to introduce sound, sustainable forest management in the area.
Summary of the project
Project actions were focused to stop the loss of the natural floodplain forest habitats due to forestry
activities by different actions - improving forest management plans, applying specific “close to natural”
forest management measures, planting of native trees, designation of new nature reserves, land
purchase and lease for nature conservation purposes and raising awareness of general public, the key
stakeholders and decision makers.
Photo: Z. Füzfa. (www.pisztrangkor.hu)
Project site - Danube floodplains
Project site surface area: 12 450 ha
Danube floodplains project site has 7 sub-sites.
Project sub-sites cover fragments of floodplain ecosystems
(mostly floodplain forests) along the Danube River. Project site is almost 100 km
long, starting from Bratislava capital city and ending near Zlatna na Ostrove
(before town Komarno).
The project site is designated as a Ramsar site and the Protected
Landscape Area Danube floodplains. Project site is included
in the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000,
covering 7 pSCIs and 1 SPA.
Nature reserve
Project site
1
5 km
Nymphaea alba.
Photo: P. Áč
Danube floodplains –
Natural conditions
The territory of Danube floodplains consists of welldeveloped branch system, oxbow lakes, river islands,
sand and gravel banks, and is covered mainly by
residual alluvial forests, mixed oak-elm-ash forests,
swamps and lowland meadows, representing
the largest inland delta in the Central Europe.
In the area, wide variety of ecosystems is present,
according to hydrological conditions, ranging from
aquatic, wetland, forest and meadow ecosystems
till xerotherm ecosystems on extremely dry stands
of big gravel depositions. The site hosts large amount
of rare, vulnerable and/ or endangered species
of plants and animals
Flora and habitats
From the project point of view, the most important
are forest habitats. Type of the floodplain forest
habitats depends on the level of ground water
and floods. The wettest areas, which are flooded
for longest period are occupied by alluvial forests
with willows, poplars and alders (Alno-Padion,
Alnion incanae, Salicion albae), also called as
softwood floodplain forests.
Higher and drier stands, with rather rare floods are
naturally covered by habitat riparian mixed forests
of F. angustifolia, Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and
U. minor (Ulmenion minoris), so called hardwood
floodplain forests.
Ficaria verna several hours after
spring flood culmination.
Photo: M. Kúdela
Fauna
Big diversity of natural conditions and habitats results
in high number of fauna species. The most abundant is
fauna of insects. 109 species of molluscs and 1800 species
of beetles were recorded in Danube floodplains habitats,
including new and unique species.
Lycaena dispar
Lucanus cervus
Photo: M. Kúdela
Photo: J. Šíbl
Rich in species is the fish fauna, which is the result
of unique combination of vast water bodies and their
diversity – fast flowing, slow flowing, standing, different
overgrown and drying out waters. More then 60 species
of fish were recorded in Slovak section of Danube River.
Typical is the native wild carp (Cyprinus carpio), rare dog
fish (Umbra krameri) or the Danube ruffe (Gymnocephalus
baloni) described from the Slovak section of Danube.
Natural conditions are ideal also for amphibians and
reptiles.
Danube floodplain is also Important Bird Area, regularly
hosting population of more than 20,000 waterfowl,
consisting mainly of large numbers of various ducks and
geese (Anseriformes).
High density of bird species, nesting in floodplain forests,
is incomparable with other type of forests; these are
represented by Sylvia atricapilla, Passer montanus, Sturnus
vulgaris, Cuculus canorus, Jynx torquilla, Dendrocopos
medius, Dryocopus martius and Muscicapa striata. Reed
beds and coppices at water edges are attractive for Remiz
pendulinus, Acrocephalus palustris or Locustella fluviatilis.
Rare nesting bird is black stork (Ciconia nigra). Typical
raptors of floodplains are black kite (Milvus migrans) and
white tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla).
Mammals are represented by all species typical for
broadleaf forests, e.g. voles, marten, fox, badger, wild boar,
row deer and the red deer. Old and hollow trees provide
shelter for number of bat species. Typical water mammals
are fish otter (Lutra lutra) and beaver (Castor fiber).
Nycticorax nycticorax and Ardea cinerea
Photo: M. Bohuš
Some veteran trees were cut down even
if their wood was not used.
Photo: T. Kušík
Threats
Forest management was one of the most
serious impacts which has lead to the
large scale destruction and degradation
of majority of natural Danube floodplain
forests. Forest management practices
have been focused only on maximal wood
and pulp production, using large scale
clear-cuts (up to 5 ha), removal of the top
soil layer by using heavy bulldozers and
planting of hybrid poplars and other nonnative tree species.
These forest management practices have
been commonly used almost in whole
Danube floodplain territory, continuously
destroying natural forest habitats and
threatening even the last remaining natural
forests.
Artificial plantations of hybrid poplars are
being harvested in the age of 20-40 years,
and this practice severely limits the chances
for survival for species depending on the
old trees and dead wood. This affects wide
range of the plant and animal species,
many of them listed in the Annexes of
Habitat and Bird Directives.
The majority of the natural floodplains
on the Danube were destroyed in such way...
Photo: J. Lengyel
Project actions
and their
achievements
In general, project is achieving its main
objective – to preserve last remaining
natural floodplain forests in Slovak part
of the Danube. Due to successful project
implementation, it is not legally possible
to decrease the area of natural floodplain
forests by forestry activities anymore.
Forestry in Danube floodplains should
cause no more lost of natural habitats.
Apart from the main project objective we
were able to increase the size of natural
floodplain forest habitats and apply softer
forest management methods in selected
areas. In whole projec site, most valuable
forests stands have been left with “no
management”.
Diverse structure of natural soft-wood floodplain forest.
Photo: R. Kúdela
A.1 Elaboration
of the Sustainable Forest
Management Framework
Strategy
The Sustainable Forest Management
Framework Strategy elaborated for the
whole project site area is based on the
field inventories and database information,
as a basic document for the updating
of the respective Forest management
plans. The principles of sustainable forest
management and biodiversity conservation
have been incorporated into the Strategy.
Strategy defines our long-term vision for
conservation of Danube floodplain forests
and asses different scenarios of the forest
development in the project site area.
Strategy summarises the legal framework
for conservation of Danube floodplain
forests and financial tools suitable for its
conservation and restoration.
Plantation of non-native hybrid poplars on the stand
of former natural floodplain forest.
Photo: T. Kušík
Photo: A. Klindová
A.2 Elaboration of new Forests management plans
We were successful to stop continuing loss
of natural floodplain forests habitats.
LHC Čalovo (project sub- site No. 6). Apart
from conserving current status, we were
able to slightly increase the size of natural
forests habitats. New forests stands have been
earmarked in the areas with occurrence of
native tree species – e.g. shore coppices and
bigger areas of willows within hybrid polar
plantations.
LHC Rusovce (project sub- site No. 1-4).
The new forest management plan (2006-2015)
is very progressive and advanced.
The nature conservation requirements have
been incorporated into the plan. Non native
tree species will be replaced by autochthonous
trees in majority of forest stands and natural
habitats will be restored. Softer forest
management methods have been applied:
the previously prevailing method (“large scale
clear-cut”) was replaced mostly by “selective
cutting”, targeting especially non-native
species. The plan expects a large portion
of natural afforestation.
Photo: A. Klindová
Photo: T. Kušík
New Forests management plans, valid for
2005-2014 and 2006-2015, were elaborated
for 4 forest administrative districts (LHC)
covering the whole project site. Specific
detailed requirements for all concerned
forest stands within the project site area
were incorporated in the plans.
Former Forest management plans did not
respect sufficiently the nature conservation
interests and needs.
LHC Šamorín and LHC Gabčíkovo (project
sub- site No. 5-6). This part of Danube
floodplains is the most negatively impacted
by intensive forestry. 80 % of forests are
represented by hybrid poplars. Interest
of the forest managers was further increase
of the hybrid poplar plantation area and
lowering of the rotation period. As a result
of hard negotiations, area of the native tree
species and natural floodplain forests can not
be decreased – but it will increase symbolically
and proposed clear-cuts in several forest
stands nowadays older than the rotation
period will not be realized before 2014.
A.3 Designation of new nature reserves
and enlargement of existing ones
Sites proposed to be designated as new nature reserves represent
largest areas of natural floodplain forests in rather good ecological
state. Their strict protection as nature reserves is necessary
precondition to prevent further negative impacts of forest
management and of the other human activities (development
and construction, intensive recreation, hunting etc.). Size of some
existing nature reserves is insufficient to achieve favourable
conservation status and therefore their enlargement is needed.
We have prepared proposals for designation of 5 new and
enlargement of 3 existing protected areas, representatively
distributed within the project site, with total size of 2086 ha.
The first sign-post of the enlarged
nature reserve Gajc.
Photo: T. Kušík
Core zone of the proposed nature reserve Foráš.
Photo: M. Kúdela
Overview of new and enlarged protected areas prepared within the project
Name
Community
of the site
PS
Drienkový les
Rusovce
NR
Gajc
Podunajské Biskupice
NR
Starý háj
Petržalka
NR
Ostrovné lúčky
Rusovce, Čunovo
NR
Foráš
Bodíky
NR
Gabčíkovské luhy Gabčíkovo, Sap
Číčovské mŕtve
Číčov,Trávnik, Kľúčovec
NNR
rameno
Medveďov
PS
Pečniansky les
Petržalka
Total: 8; from it 5 new and 3 enlarged
Category
Project
sub-site
4
3
2
4
5
5
Original
size (ha)
0,84
54,93
-
New
proposal (ha)
56
62,72
76,7
226,63
115,5
497
State
of approval
submitted in 2002
designated in 2004
designated in 2005
submitted in 2005
submitted in 2006
submitted in 2007
6
80
766
submitted in 2007
1
-
285,7
2086,25
submitted in 2007
Category: PS – Protected site, NR – Nature reserve, NNR – National nature reserve
Planting of native trees in the hybrid poplar plantations.
Photo: T. Kušík
A.4. Inventory of local sources
of genetic material for afforestation
Missing proper genetic material for afforestation is one
of the reasons for planting of non- native tree species.
Use of native species and sorts, which are well adapted
to the local ecological conditions, is necessary for reaching
of the good status of the new forests and preserving species
gene pool.
Individual trees of native species (Salix alba, S. fragilis, Populus
alba, P. nigra, P. x canescens, Quercus robur, Alnus glutinosa,
Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. danubialis, Acer pseudoplatanus,
A. campestre, A. platanoides, Tilia cordata, Pyrus pyraster),
suitable as sources of genetic material have been identified
within the project site and data was provided to State forests.
Collection of the seeds from these trees was organised
and seeds were used for propagation in forests nurseries.
Measures to increase tree species diversity by planting of
autochthonous tree species into monocultures of hybrid
poplars have been implemented in cooperation with the
State Forests. Areas
with minimal occurrence of native tree species have been
selected in project sub-site No. 5. In the gaps and forest edges
among monocultures of hybrid poplars native Quercus robur
and Populus x canescens have been planted.
Planting of a black poplar by the popular singer J. Kuric
on the first land of BROZ.
Photo: M. Valentovič
B.1. Purchase and long term
lease of land
Nature conservation organisation land ownership
is the best guarantee for preserving valuable
natural areas. The ownership and long term
lease of land is one of the best tools on how to
influence forestry, prevent clear-cutting of the
area but also many other activities, e.g. intensive
recreation, development, hunting, etc. These are
the areas where trees can live out their biological
age and we can allow free development of natural
processes.
There are also other actions that can be implemented, such as removal of roads, flooding areas,
creating no management wilderness zones etc. –
which are often not possible to do in other areas,
even when they are formally strictly protected.
After a series of negotiations with landowners,
BROZ successfully signed contracts and acquired
land in different areas of the Danube floodplains.
At the moment BROZ has under control 330 ha of
the land; 44 ha in ownership and 286 under long
term lease (25 or 30 years).
The biggest leased complex is 250 ha of land
covering completely one large Danube island –
Veľkolélsky ostrov Island. In conservation actions
we are closely cooperating with the municipality
and local inhabitants.
The ongoing purchase of valuable natural areas
is a principal strategy for BROZ to continue its
conservation efforts in the Danube floodplain
after completion of the LIFE project, and we
continue to look for other sources to finance the
further purchase of land for nature conservation
purposes. If you would like to support us, please
contact us!
Whole Veľkolélsky ostrov Island is in long-term lease of BROZ.
Photo: M. Kúdela
C.1 Elimination of invasive tree species
Invasive tree species are very aggressive, often developing
dense canopies which take over the natural vegetation
and slow down the natural regeneration of forests. Their
elimination is therefore necessary to reach the favourable
conservation status of the floodplain forests.
This action was implemented in close cooperation with the
State Forests, targeting species Negundo aceroides, Ailanthus
altissima, Fraxinus americana and F. pennsylvanica. Invasive
tree species have been targeted and removed in project
sub-sites 1, 3, 4 and 5 at the total area of 431 ha.
Invasive trees of all ages have been removed by selective
logging. Open areas in forest stands after removal of invasive
trees are being naturally afforested by native species. Possible
regeneration of invasive tree species from root or stump
shoots or from old seeds will be removed by common forest
management.
E.1 Raising the public awareness
on the conservation of floodplain
ecosystems
Explaining and understanding values, uniqueness and importance of preservation of Danube floodplains is important
for gaining public support for conservation actions. With
public support it is easier to ensure the implementation
of the project activities as well as long-term sustainability
of the project achievements.
Number of information materials has been produced and
presentations, slide shows and field trips for students and
public, both from Slovakia and from abroad have been
organised. Issue of floodplain forests conservation has been
promoted in local, in regional and national media. 12 signposts have been installed in field for visitors of protected areas.
LIFE project web-site www.dunaj.broz.sk was launched.
Removal of american ash species. Non-native invasive tree species produce
large amounts of seed at early age.
Photo: T. Pašková
Photo: T. Kušík
Information seminar “Natura 2000 and sustainable management
of floodplain forests”.
Photo: archive of BROZ
Exhibition on Danube floodplains opened by the
Slovak minister of environment, L. Miklós.
Photo: A. Klindová (above), M. Valentovič (below)
Participants of the study visit in nature reserve WWF March-Auen.
Photo: J. Šíbl
E.2 Education and training of personnel of state forestry
administration and state nature conservation institutions
To provide the forest managers and nature
conservation personnel with the first-hand
experience on the nature conservation
oriented management of the floodplain
forests, successfully implemented in
neighbouring Danube basin countries, we
have organised 3 study visits abroad (2 visits to
Austria – National park Donau- Auen, Nature
reserve March-Auen and 1 visit to the Czech
Republic – Morava and Dyje river floodplains).
The key persons and stakeholders responsible
for forest management and nature
conservation have participated on the study
visits abroad – personnel of State Forests,
State Nature Conservancy, water management
authorities, state administration of forestry and
environment, Ministry of Environment, etc.
Participants of the visits could see the different
alternative approaches of floodplain forest
management and discuss their views and
opinions with the personnel of the protected
areas of floodplain forests abroad.
Project „Conservation and management of Danube
floodplain forests“ has established partner dialogue
and cooperation between foresters and nature
conservationists. For long term preservation of Danube
floodplains further increase of natural forests and
restoring water regime dynamics is necessary. This was
beyond objective of this project, but this challenge is our
long- term vision for the Danube. Join us if you like it.
BROZ – Regional Association for Nature Conservation and
Sustainable Development is the project beneficiary, responsible
for most of the project actions. BROZ was established as a civic
association (non-profit, non-governmental organisation – NGO)
in Bratislava in 1997. Most of its activities have been focused on
the nature conservation and restoration of degraded natural
ecosystems in the western part of Slovakia – Danube and Zahorie
Lowlands, Danube, Morava and Rudava Rivers and Male Karpaty
Mountains.
Contacts:
BROZ – Regional Association for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development
(Bratislavské regionálne ochranárske združenie)
Šancová 96, 831 04 Bratislava, phone, fax: + 421-2-5556 2693
e-mail: [email protected]
www.broz.sk
State Nature Conservacny, Administration of PLA Danube floodplains
(Štátna ochrana prírody SR, Správa CHKO Dunajské luhy)
Korzo Bélu Bartóka 789/3, 929 01 Dunajská Streda, phone, fax: + 421-31- 551 62 29
www.sopsr.sk
National park Donau-Auen, Austria
Schloss Orth
A-2304 Orth an der Donau, phone: ++43/+2212/3450, fax: ++43/+2212/3450-17
e-mail: [email protected]
www.donauauen.at