By Megan Traviss
The DaWetRest project aims to restore biodiversity to the Danube River and the neighbouring wetlands through reconnection activities and community engagement. Within the Lighthouse ‘Danube and the Black Sea’, the Danube Wetlands and Floodplains Restoration through systemic, community-engaged, and sustainable innovative actions seeks to improve the linkage between the Danube and its tributaries with the neighbouring wetlands. This initiative supports the Water Framework Directive, which emphasizes critical goals such as ensuring conditions for the biological cycles of natural wetlands and their inhabitants, improving hydro-morphological quality, and decreasing water pollutants.
One of the innovative approaches within the project involves the identified creation of green hatchery complexes as nature-based solutions (NBS). These facilities not only contribute to biodiversity improvement but also align with the Biodiversity Strategy aimed at increasing waterfowl populations in wetlands. Furthermore, the project explores modern methodologies for freshwater monitoring. These advancements are essential for improving and controlling freshwater ecosystems according to the objectives of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030’.
Understanding the Danube Ecosystem
The Danube River Basin (DRB) spans 801,463 km² across 19 countries, housing a treasure trove of freshwater biodiversity that necessitates urgent preservation efforts. The Basin encompasses numerous protected areas, including wetlands, floodplains, and salt marshes, recognized under the Ramsar Convention. This region serves as a crucial nesting area and migration corridor for countless bird species, highlighting its ecological significance.
Moreover, economic activities such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, and nature protection heavily rely on the diverse ecosystem services that wetlands provide. When maintained correctly, wetlands excel in carbon cycling, water purification, nutrient production, habitat provision, and floodwater retention, all vital for sustaining high biodiversity rates and mitigating climate change.
Key Initiatives of the DaWetRest Project
The DaWetRest project is actively engaged in three DEMO regions: the Middle Danube (covering areas at the Croatia-Serbia-Hungary border); the Lower Danube (spanning parts of Bulgaria and Romania); and the Danube Delta (across Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova). Within these regions, ten sites have been selected for innovative restoration actions anchored in scientific and nature-based solutions, reinforcing the engagement of local communities and stakeholders. Additionally, 14 sibling locations across various tributaries and partner countries provide further input to maximize restoration impact.
Historically, anthropogenic activities have led to the degradation of over 70% of wetlands and floodplains in the DRB. These disruptions have resulted in a loss of connectivity between many sites and the river streams, diminishing the ecological potential of these areas. The implications are far-reaching, including a heightened risk of flooding, loss of biodiversity, and introduction of invasive species that disrupt ecosystem balance.
The restoration and protection of wetlands are thus not only desirable but urgently needed to reverse detrimental environmental impacts and promote ecological sustainability. Given their robust capacity for carbon sequestration, preserving and restoring wetland areas directly contributes to climate change mitigation.
Engaging Local Communities and Stakeholders
Central to the success of the DaWetRest project is the engagement of various stakeholders, including academia, public institutions, SMEs, and local authorities across the Danube River Basin. Continuous communication with community members and stakeholders helps identify their needs and shared interests in restoring and protecting wetlands. This project facilitates discussions around the EU’s environmental initiatives while promoting climate neutrality and the blue economy.
Each DEMO region presents unique characteristics, allowing DaWetRest to tailor site-specific solutions that effectively address local challenges in restoration efforts. By employing both active and passive restoration measures, the project seeks to create replicable models that can inspire similar efforts across Europe.
Looking Forward
The DaWetRest project is built upon the recognition of an inherent imbalance between human activities and natural ecosystems. It aspires to restore this balance by emphasizing nature-based solutions and fostering innovative strategies that can be scaled up and replicated in other European regions. The project is designed to pave the way for further advancements and sustainable models, preparing for a broader push towards ecological restoration beyond 2026.
Through intelligent monitoring and management systems, DaWetRest aims to enhance the climate resilience of wetlands, while also exploring new business models, such as Recirculating Aquaculture System fisheries. These approaches not only bolster local economies but significantly improve water quality and biodiversity.
The collaborative efforts from partners across Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine—coordinated by the Climate, Atmospheric, and Water Research Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences—highlight the project’s significance in promoting environmental sustainability along the Danube River.
Ensuring these wetlands remain a vibrant part of our ecosystem is paramount. The DaWetRest initiative exemplifies how thoughtful action, community engagement, and innovation can come together to restore vital environmental networks for future generations.
