Partners
Beneficiary name: Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI Tulcea).
Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI Tulcea) has expertise in fundamental and applied research as scientific support of management plans for Natura 2000 sites, preponderantly for those belonging to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR). These are ROSPA0031 Danube Delta and Razim-Sinoe Complex, ROSPA0076 Black Sea, ROSCI0065 Danube Delta, and ROSCI0066 Danube Delta- marine area. Thus, all studies and researches are carried out according to the Government Order 57/2007 which fulfills the two European Directives requirements, Habitat Directive and Birds Directive, respectively. These Directives concern the special regime of biodiversity conservation for protected natural areas, natural habitats, wild flora and fauna species and wild birds of conservative interest.
Also, DDNI draws up projects as technical support for ecological restoration works of protected natural wetland ecosystems in order to improve their conservation status.
DDNI originated as Hydro-biological Station in Tulcea, ROMANIA, established in 1932 as part of the Romanian Directorate of Fisheries and became a research institute in 1970.
In 1991, DDNI is organized in two departments: Research and Design. Since then, the research programs have been establishing jointly with the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority and through initiatives generated by the DDNI.
Also, in 1991, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) has got the status of World Heritage, included in wetlands protected by international conventions such as UNESCO – convention for Nature and Culture World Heritage protection and UNESCO – Man and Biosphere program. Thus, DDNI got the responsibility to provide the scientific base for the government policy formulation and activities pertaining to the wetland ecosystem restoration, in order to assure the biodiversity conservation and protection within the DDBR natural ecosystems. The main objectives of DDNI, as part of the strategy for environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources, are: wetland ecosystem restoration in deltas and floodplains; monitoring of physical, biological and chemical parameters in the Danube Delta’s stream ecosystems; assessment of the DDBR water pollution degree and its effect on aquatic ecosystems; identification and assessment of the environmental factors which define the wetland ecosystems evolution; conservation of biological diversity; rehabilitation measures for rare, endangered or in decline flora and fauna wild species; sustainable use of natural resources (fish, reed, grasslands, game and tourism); stream hydrological regime regulations for natural resources sustainable use; development of human settlements and harmonies of economic, social and ecological interests; development of informational system, including Geographic Information System applications; design and implementation of a monitoring network for environment pollutants; monitoring and evaluation of the biodiversity from the DDBR in order to establish protection and conservation measures; hydrological model as a decisions making support for improving the ecological conditions of the DDBR aquatic ecosystems.
Partner 1: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norvegia
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NINA, is as an independent foundation focusing on environmental research emphasising the interaction between human society, natural resources and biodiversity.
NINA was established in 1988. The headquarters are located in Trondheim, with branches in Tromsø, Lillehammer and Oslo, and the research station Ims in Rogaland.
NINA aims to be recognised nationally and internationally for its expertise in applied ecological research, and our priority targets for the period of 2012-2015 are:
- To conduct science of high scientific quality and integrity
- To provide information for use in shaping policy, management, and value creation
- To take an active part in the community
- To being an attractive and efficient knowledge based enterprise
NINA’s activities include research, environmental monitoring, counseling and evaluation. Our goal is to provide effective solutions for a sustainable future based on solid knowledge about species and populations, ecology, use of natural resources and attitudes towards nature.
Biodiversity, fish and game management, predators and conflicts related to predators, renewable energy, restoration ecology and impacts of climate change are examples of topics covered by NINA. The institute also runs several national monitoring programs of wild salmon, seabirds and large ungulates. Active dialogue and dissemination is of key importance for NINA’s work.
NINA has five strategic institute priorities in the period of 2011 to 2017:
- Natural goods in forests – biodiversity, climate mitigation and resources
- Interaction between aquaculture and wild salmon
- Impact of climate change
- Coastal ecosystem changes
- Landscape management and ecosystem services
NINA cooperates on joint projects with research institutions in more than 30 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and America.
Our main market sectors are public management agencies, the aquaculture and energy industries, the Research Council of Norway, Horizon 2020 and other international research programs.
NINA’s slogan is “Cooperation and expertise for a sustainable future”.
Partner 2: Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (DDBRA Tulcea)
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (DDBRA) in Tulcea is a public institution subordinated to the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, established in 1990, in order to administrate the natural heritage of national interest from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, to protect and conserve the physical and geographical units of the DDBR territory.
The main objectives of the DDBRA for the management of the Biosphere Reserve are:
- Conservation and protection of the existing natural heritage
- Encouragement of sustainable use of the natural resources
- Provision of support, based on the results of research, for management, education, training and services.
DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The DDBR has a total area of some 580,000 ha and includes some geographic units, divided by their morphological and biological characteristic: the Danube Delta itself, the Razim – Sinoe lagoon complex, Danube River east to Cotu Pisicii, the Isaccea – Tulcea floodplain, the Murighiol -Plopu saline plains and the Black Sea coast from Chilia arm to Capul Midia, out to 20 m depth.
- Year of establishment: 1990
- One of the worldwide largest wetland, especially a waterfowl habitat
- The greatest reedbed expanses worldwide
- A real natural museum of biodiversity including 30 types of ecosystems
- About 7500 flora and fauna species
- Most of the European population of common pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus and dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus;
- 60 % from world population of pygmy cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmaeus
- 50 % from world population of red breasted goose Branta ruficollis
The zones of DDBR:
- Strictly protected areas (20 sites covering a total of 50,904 hectares)
- Buffer zones (13 zones covering a total of 222,996 hectares)
- Sustainable development zones (cover a total of 306,100 hectares)
- Areas for ecological restoration.
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (DDBRA) is a public institution subordinated to the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, established in 1990, in order to administrate the natural heritage of national interest from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, to protect and conserve the physical and geographical units of the DDBR territory.
Contact:
Dr. ing. Eugenia CIOACĂ – MANAGER PROIECT
Tel.: +40 753 082 1718
Email: eugenia.cioaca@ddni.ro /eugeniacioaca@gmail.com