Danube Strategy Andreas Beckmann, Director WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme, abeckmann@wwfdcp.org.

Danube Strategy

Andreas Beckmann, DirectorWWF Danube-Carpathian Programme, abeckmann@wwfdcp.org

Blue Danube

TEN-T extension 2004: Eliminating navigation bottlenecks

Ecologically outstanding stretches

Conflict: TEN-T navigation versus nature

Bavaria: Navigation lobby wants two dams to reach 2.50 meters draught.

Bavaria: Navigation lobby wants two dams to reach 2.50 meters draught.

Wachau: The reconstruction of the Danube would increase floodings.

Wachau: The reconstruction of the Danube would increase floodings.

National Park: Trendsetter? First one to break the recommendation of Danube commission?

National Park: Trendsetter? First one to break the recommendation of Danube commission?

Hungary: Canalization would affect islands and the Ipoly National park.

Hungary: Canalization would affect islands and the Ipoly National park.

Danube-delta: The new navigation canal is being built through the core zone of the biosphere reserve.

Danube-delta: The new navigation canal is being built through the core zone of the biosphere reserve.

Danube Islands Bulgaria/Rumania: A 500 km near-natural section with hundreds of islands is threatened by regulation plans.

Danube Islands Bulgaria/Rumania: A 500 km near-natural section with hundreds of islands is threatened by regulation plans.

Hungary/Croatia/Serbia-Montenegro: A regulation project will threaten the second most important floodplain area on the Danube, the Kopacki Rit

Hungary/Croatia/Serbia-Montenegro: A regulation project will threaten the second most important floodplain area on the Danube, the Kopacki Rit

Impacts of ecosystem functions 3/4

Biodiversity Loss due to:

• Habitat destruction

• Habitat fragmentation: Disconnection of side-arms, fragmentation of river-continuum

Example Upper Danube: 58 impounded stretches

Source: WWF-A

Danube and Navigation: Natural- born enemies?

River parameters

Nature DemandNavigation

Demand

hydro-morphology

erosion-sedimentation

uniform

water level high - low stable

water depth deep - shallow homogeneous

water flow fast - slow constant

Dynamics vs. Stability

Status quo: Inland navigation

Old fleet (mostly 20-40 years old):

• High emission rates (NOx, ultra-fine particles, ...)

• Waste water problems, water pollution (e.g. oil)

• Wave wash

Old strategy based on:

• Dredging and deepening of the river channel

• Regulation and channelling

• Damming