Danube River Delta - A Global Ecoregion

11,000 sq. km of wetlands, one of the largest in Europe

About the Area
The Danube delta, one of the largest wetlands in Europe is a unique habitat of canals, reed beds, lakes, and ponds. The delta is still growing as it extends farther into the Black Sea about 24 m every year.

During its 1,780 mile (2,800 km) course, the Danube river runs through cities, valleys, and deep, wide gorges. Just before the Danube pours into the Black Sea, it splits into three branches, the Chilia, Sulina, and Sfântu Gheorghe.

Found here are over 280 species of birds, 88 freshwater mollusks (with 18 endemics), 75 dragonfly species, 18 amphibian species, and 73 native freshwater and 9 brackish-water fish species.

Local Species
The delta is an important site for breeding populations of a number of rare or imperiled waterbirds, including the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), White pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), Water rail (Rallus aquaticus), Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), and Collared pratincole (Glareola pranticola).

Historically, ten diadromous fish species occurred in the lower Danube River. These include five sturgeon species (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, A. nudiventris, A. stellatus, A. sturio, and Huso huso), European eel (Anguilla anguilla), three Shad (Alosa caspia, A. immaculata, and A. maeotica), and Tyulka sprat (Clupeonella cultiventris).

Today, A. nudiventris and A. sturio are extinct in this ecoregion. Fish species endemic to the lower Danube basin are - loach, Cobitis megaspila, and the critically endangered Romanichthys valsanicola.

Threats
The loss of two migratory fish species and the imperilment of several more, speak volumes of the modified nature of this ecoregion's aquatic systems.

Pollution, damming, industrialisation, agriculture, livestock, and urban settlements disrupt the fragile ecology of the delta. Over-exploitation of birds, frogs, and introduction of exotic species constitute other important threats.

Resources
• NationalGeographic.com