BEFORE PROJECT THE BEGINNING SWBNP is a final sample of the former Lakes of Danube. On an area of 241 km2, PN-BmB retain 10% of the former Inland River Delta, the former Lake of Brăila and Ialomiţei, who occupied both in the 70s of last century 6 2.413 km2 of wet area compact on the lower course of the Danube, between Silistra and Brăila. PN-BmB occupies a stretch of 62 miles of the lower course of the Danube River between Giurgeni-Vadu Oii Bridge, km 237 upstream and the municipality of Braila, 175 km downstream, at the maximum flood elevation. Remarkable though is that in terms of biodiversity, the park is the last sample and least human influenced from the former Delta. It is highlighted the fact that more than 50 % of SWBNP constituents are natural ecosystems, about 30% are semi-natural ecosystems and only 20% have been affected fully by human intervention- Vădineanu et al., 2004. Small Wetland of Brăila Natural Park is home for a rich biodiversity of animals and plants, many protected by national and international laws. 207 species of birds found here a haven for nesting sites, feeding or resting in the periods of migration. The alternance between periods of flood and droughts has put its mark on the representativeness of the mammals in the PN-BmB. Although conditions are quite favorable for feeding and breeding also in areas adjacent to the Park, when the water level allow, mammals prefer the territory of the park especially for reproduction, because here the pressure of any kind exercised over them is extremely low. In the former Brăila Lake occurred deep quantitative and qualitative transformations. Îndiguirile, desecările and deforestation, which have occurred since 1960, have diminished quantitative 6 times the wet area from 149.000 ha on 26.000 hectares of meadow floodable currently. Tha brutal replacing of the exceptional biodiversity owned by complexes of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems with large agricultural monocultures occupies 80% of former wet area was the first qualitative mutation of proportion. But nature has been left alone nor in areas with hydrological regime free of inundation. The second major change, which meant coup de grace given to 1 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06
biodiversity, has occurred as a result of the substitution of natural alluvial forests by poplar and willows cultures. In this way has lost an invaluable genetic and ecological wealth, unfortunately too little researched. THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES The main threats that have been identified within the park are: the replacement of natural forests with a high degree of biodiversity with the plantation of poplar and willow clones with a low degree of biodiversity increasing pressure of invasive species, in particular Amorpha fruticosa fast-growing and extensive increasing silting of the lakes lack of management that governs the use of the resources of the area lack of public awareness on the conservation of nature and its benefits Our aim was the preservation, restoration and sustainable management in Small Wetland of Brăila: the management of Small Wetland of Brăila as a pilot area for the development of knowledge and experience management removal of Amorpha fruticosa, an invasive species, over 212 ha restoring the former alluvial forests on a total area of 449 ha restore the natural hydrological regime on an area of 2,500 ha 2 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06
THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION The project has been carried out during the period from October 2006 to April 2011. The total was 978.419, 489.209 representing the European Union's contribution and 25,000 the contribution of the project partner, the Department of Systemic Ecology and Sustainable Development of University of Bucharest. The project included four main categories of activities, closely linked to the four main objectives: 1. The management of Small Wetland of Brăila as a pilot area for the development of knowledge and experience management Improvement of the Park Management Plan Natural Park Small Wetland of Brăila is one of the few parks in Romania which benefited from an approved Management Plan, still before the establishment of its own administration. The first management plan was also by the project LIFE99 /NAT/RO 006400.. In the year 2007 began the process of improving the management plan, as a result of obtaining new information from different research programmes and changing in the legislation in force. Implementation of the plan was a participatory process, which involved all stakeholders and the Scientific Council of the Park. The plan was approved by Decision of the Romanian Government in May 2011. Comunication and ecotourism strategies In 2008, the park administration developed a Communication Strategy that led to the identification and implementation of a process of two-way communication between the Board and to all categories of actors involved in the management of SWBNP, in order to use resources and services offered by this area. 3 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06
Also was developed the Park's ecotourism strategy whereby they substantiated the ways and means by which will be done the best use of the ecoturistic potential of SWBNP in limits of the capacity of the complex ecosystems and through sustainable economic development of local communities bordering. Strategic objectives and tactical strategies have been incorporated into the park Management Plan. Tourist infrastructure development 2 camping places have been equipped with rustic wooden furniture, rustic toilets, showers, water reservoirs and electrical generators. Also have been identified and marked on the field 15 tourists paths, of which 8 trails on the ground and 7 trails in the water. On tourist paths have been located tourism panels, as well as road signs in the main points of entry to the Park. Of the 15 tourist routes were selected 3 routes, most visited, and were made 3 informative tours materialised by placing panels with information about the area, habitats and species, protection and conservation measures. Raising the public awereness In order to increase the level of awareness concerning the protected natural areas and the protection and conservation of nature has been carried out many types of communication materials: Leaflets with information essential for tourists, including tourist map of the Park 3 posters showing the importance of the conservation of natural habitats Brochures for the stakeholders containing he presentation of the objectives and activities of the project A set of leaflets presenting various information for various interest groups pupils, students, tourists, locals 4 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06
A CD featuring relevant information about biodiversity in the area A 25-minute video containing depiction of the Park. Over 30 public events were organised, attended by over 1,000 people. In the local and national media appeared over 50 articles related to PN-BmB and the implemented project. Have been carried out over 40 actions awareness, especially together with children because they are most receptive to the problems of nature and represents the future of the society. All relevant information about the project can be found on the site of the Park www.bmb.ro where it was created a special page dedicated to the objectives and achievements of the project, and the material resulted in this project can be downloaded. 2. Removal of Amorpha fruticosa, invasive species, from an area of 212 ha Amorfa (Amorpha fruticosa) is a shrub alohton similar to the Acacia and represents a real threat to the habitats of the Park. It shows a rapid increase and an increased adaptability to the conditions of living of the most varied. In the Park have been identified more areas colonized by this species. Of these were selected 212 hectares in areas most affected. On these areas Amorpha has been removed by cut and the destruction of roots. 3. Reabilitation of 449 ha with natural flod-plain forest Currently, over 6,000 ha of the park area is occupied by forest. Beginning in the 1960s-70 s began replacing native species of poplar and willow, specific for forests of meadow, with plantations of poplar euramerican, faster growing and with a high-quality wood, without taking into account the loss of biodiversity. With a view to the restoration of meadow forests which were once in these areas has started a long and difficult process of reconstruction. Within this project was rehabilitated the alluvial forest on a total area of 449 ha. The rehabilitation was completed in 2 phases: Were woodland vegetation comprising native species the 212 ha of which was cleared Amorfa The remaining 237 ha were areas that were cuted plantations of poplar euramerican reached maturity and were replaced by native species. The proportion of indigenous species used was 80% poplar, of which 90% white poplar and 10% black poplar) and 20% willow, depending on the location of the land upon which the work took place. 5 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06
4. Restoration of the natural hydrological regim over a total surface of 2.500 ha One of the greatest threats to this area, since the area is floodable, declared Ramsar site in 2001, is represented by the siltation of lakes. This fact has human causes, due to the objective of obtaining economic advantages by exploiting natural resources. For this, people have closed some of the channels which were linking the Danube and inland lakes. As we are in a natural area protected, you cannot use the normal means to reduce siltation - dredging the bottom of the lake-. In this respect was reopened a channel in the area Fundu Mare over a distance of 432 meters, to create a natural stream of water to wash some of the materials stored in lakes in each year Another problem related to the lakes of the park is the fact that some of the lakes have the bottom higher than the level of the Danube, leading to a rapid loss of water during the summer. Since the wetlands of the park is an ideal place for nesting and feeding for many species of water birds, loss of water from lakes leads to the inability to ensure optimal conditions for most of these species. In order to improve the retention of water in the area of Năvodari attempted to build a watergate on the canal connecting the Danube. Unfortunately, due to their exceptional hydrological condțiilor, this action has not been able to accomplish. CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS Challenges encountered during implementation of the project We were first involved in the implementation of a European project, although the Park has also benefited from the implementation of a project's LIFE, but before the formation of the park administration. This has led many times to different visions of the partners of the project. Cooperation with various 6 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06
stakeholders in the management of the protected area has proved sometimes to be difficult, especially because of the difficult socio-economic conditions of the local population.doubt in law or inadequacy of the legal provisions with regard to the protection and conservation of nature. Special weather conditions: as of 2006, every two years there have been massive flooding, amplitude historical. In 2010 the flood reached a level of 713 registered by Hydrological station of Brăila, the highest level recorded since the year 1905, according to some înregistări made by Grigore ANTIPA. Moreover, between the years with very high floods were very dry years, which affected also the actions of the project. Solutions Through communication and perseverance we managed to surpass both differences in vision of us and partners, as well as the issues of difficult cooperation with some of the key factors for the management of the Small Wetland of Braila Natural Park. Unfortunately, some of the challenges due to the hydrological conditions could not be surpassed could not be achieved the watergate in the area of Năvodari, and actions for the reabilitation of alluvial forests have been much delayed. For this reason it was requested to extend the project by a further 6 months from the initial deadline of completion (30 November 2010). Also because of the prolonged flooding was one of the shares cancelled a visitor center and Information as the building intended for action has been very affected by the flood of 2006. PROJECT S RESULTS 237 hectares of euroamerican poplar plantations were replaced with native species of poplar and willow Amorpha fruticosa has been removed from the 212 ha in park The 212 hectares were replaced with native species of poplar and willow Hydrological link was re-established between the Fundu Mare lake and the Danube It was developed a scheme for grazing for 52 hectares of pasture belonging to local communities in the vicinity of the Park It was reshaped the Park Management Plan and approved by Government Decision It was carried out communication strategy It was realised the strategy of ecotourism Tourist infrastructure has been developed in the Park AFTER THE PROJECT Conservation measures contained in the Management Plan will be implemented in accordance with the objectives of the tactical and strategic. 7 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06
The National Forestry Administration will continue the maintenance of native species plantations up to their full development. Brăila County will include into future plans for urban planning the objectives proposed by the administration of the Park for the conservation of the natural protected areas. The Park Administration will maintain the infrastructure and the results achieved by this project. Actions of ecological reconstruction of the former alluvial forests already continue, through the implementation of the SOP Environment project, axis 4, "Managing natural capital from Balta Mică a Brăilei through an integrated approach, assessment and awareness", code SMIS CSNR 17156, starting from 07/02/2011. Through this project is provided the "Ecological reconstruction of the former alluvial forest on an area of 210 ha". The Site of the Park will be maintained and updated as we will register other developments in the conservation of biodiversity. 8 Conservation, restoration and durable management in Small Island of Brăila, Romania, LIFE06