2013

speCial 2013 is the first year that a Europe´s European Rivers RiverPrize will be awarded ... Danube Europe´s Green Corridor

rhone Coping with Climate Change

Thames Renaturation Front-and-Center

... by the International River Foundation (IRF) partnering with the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), the European Centre for River Restoration (ECRR) and Coca-Cola Europe. DnIepEr Coming Back to Life 02 Special Sturgeons Danube 03

ix species of sturgeons were once native to rivers throughout the Danube River SBasin, including the beluga sturgeons, The Editorial which can reach lengths of up to six metres. The ICPDR sees sturgeons as a flagship species Sturgeon indicating high ecological water quality: they Dear Readers, Making only flourish in healthy rivers with diverse FLAGSHIP SPECIES: Way for ivers resemble a bloodstream. They pervade our continent, they habitats, which touches directly on several The sturgeon has characterize landscapes, they provide habitats for animals and areas in which the ICPDR is active. These Migration become a symbol Rplants, and they ensure the supply of water. They are focal points of include wetland and floodplain restoration, ­indicating high ­ecological social, economic and cultural development. It is no coincidence that the the development of fish migration aids, the water ­quality. history of Europe’s colonization runs along the great rivers: They provided reconstruction of natural river beds or cities with water and served as transportation routes. They have been measures against water pollution. Three praised in stories, myths, legends and songs. But rivers have also been used issues are of particular concern for as sewers, and seen as hindrances, nuisances, or imminent floods. The sturgeons in the Danube Basin today: relationship between humans and rivers is ambivalent. (1) the protection of habitats, Yet much has changed for the better in recent for example for spawning; years and decades. The river itself is seen again as a (2) illegal fisheries and caviar trade; living space in the original sense of the word. Clogged (3) longitudinal connectivity – the possibility streams have become flowing channels, and sewers for them to pass dams mostly of hydropower Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser! have become healthy water sources. Throughout plants to reach spawning grounds in upstream Europe, international, public, and private organiza- eit dem diesjährigen „Jahrhunderthoch­wasser“ areas. An important partner of the ICPDR in tions are taking care of the rivers – working on them, stehen Flüsse wieder im Fokus der Öffentlich- working for sturgeon conservation is the with them and for them. keit. In dieser UNIVERSUM Spezialausgabe Danube Sturgeon Task Force, which aligns the Franziskus von Kerssenbrock S The International Commission for the Protection erfahren Sie mehr zu den Ansätzen, Programmen efforts of the ICPDR with other major players of the Danube River (ICPDR), for example, with its headquarters in Vienna, und Projekten, die alle zum Ziel haben, vier in the field, such as the World Sturgeon has coordinated initiatives, projects and programs to benefit the second- europäischen Flüssen und zwei Binnenmeeren eine Conservation Society or WWF, which recently longest river in Europe. In 2007, the ICPDR won the competition organized nachhaltige Zukunft zu sichern – und damit auch launched a project on sturgeon conservation. by the International River Foundation’s International RiverPrize. On den Menschen, die mit ihnen leben. September 12th, ICPDR and IRF will be awarding the European RiverPrize. Die „International Commission for the Protection of More information: Four river organizations are in the finale: the Danube River“ (ICPDR), mit Sitz in Wien, lädt am http://danube-sturgeons.org/ Rio Orbigo, Spain 12. September zur Verleihung des „European http://www.dstf.eu/ inst waren sechs verschiedene Stör-Arten in Mur / Drau / Danube, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia RiverPrize“. Vier Flüsse sind im Finale: Rio Orbigo der Donau und ihren Nebenflüssen heimisch. Rhine, with all of its neighboring countries (Spanien), Mur/Drau/Donau (Österreich, Kroatien, E Darunter der Beluga-Stör, mit einer Länge Upper Drau, Austria. Ungarn, Serbien, Slowenien), Rhein (mit allen von bis zu sechs Metern. Die Internationale Soon one of the world‘s major environmental awards will be given for Anrainerstaaten), Obere Drau (Österreich). Kommission zum Schutz der Donau (IKSD) exceptional, visionary and sustainable work. In this special edition of UNIVERSUM Magazin ist Medienpartner der betrachtet den Stör nun als „Flaggschiff-Spezies“. UNIVERSUM, you can learn more about current approaches to ensuring a internationalen Veranstaltung. Daher erscheint Gelingt es, den Fisch wieder in den Gewässern des sustainable future for four European rivers and two inland seas – and thus diese Ausgabe in englischer Sprache mit deutscher Donaubeckens heimisch werden zu lassen, dann ist for the people who live with them, as well. Zusammenfassung. dies auch ein Indikator für hohe Wasserqualität und Biodiversität. Denn die Fische brauchen gesunde Habitate, Auen und Überschwemmungsgebiete; die Möglichkeit, frei und ungehindert stromauf- und -abwärts zu ziehen; sowie sauberes Wasser. Alles Bereiche, die die IKSD als zentrale Aufgabengebiete ihrer Arbeit sieht. Ein wichtiger Partner der

Kommission ist in diesem Zusammenhang die l s Franziskus von Kerssenbrock Danube Sturgeon Task, die die Arbeiten der IKSD ldhäu

Editor-in-Chief und ihrer Partner wie dem WWF koordiniert. a APIA, w

Weitere Informationen: K : O : http://www.dstf.eu

IMPRESSUM Medieninhaber: LW Werbe- und Verlags GmbH, Geschäftsführer, Herausgeber: Erwin Goldfuss, Projekt­ COVER: Shutterstock o t os

leitung: Prok. Alexandra Salvinetti, Chefredaktion: Franziskus von Kerssenbrock, Grafik: Michael Demetler, Übersetzung: http://danube-sturgeons.org Ph Caitlin Ahern, Christian Liberty Marshall, Anschrift: 1060 Wien, Linke Wienzeile 40/22, Tel.: +43 1 585 57 57-0, Fax-DW 415, [email protected], www.lwmedia.at, www.universum.co.at, Stand: August, Irrtümer und Änderungen vorbehalten Die vorliegende Beilage versteht sich als entgeltliche Einschaltung in Zusammenarbeit mit der Internationalen Kommision zum Schutz der Donau im Sinne des Medientransparenzgesetzes. Die redaktionelle Verantwortung liegt beim Universum Magazin. Universum Special | 2013 04 Danube Co-operation 05

AT THE EDGE: The Danube delta is one of the world´s most stunning wetland areas. “ he Danube,” Italian writer Claudio equally indispensable for flora and fauna; the Magris once said, “is a river that importance of their floodplains is vital due to Tconnects - unlike the Rhine, which was increasing floods; they are nesting and long perceived as the feud-causing border Europe´s breeding areas for mammals, birds, amphi- between Germany and France.” Magris argues bians and fish. In fact, one particular fish has from a cultural and social point of view, and Green become a symbol for the many tasks that the the facts alone speak for his thesis: The Danube has to deal with as an international, Danube is approximately 2,800 kilometers long, Corridor regional and local cooperation: the sturgeon. and 19 countries with around 81 million people are part of its watershed, with an area of How the Danube river THE STURGEON‘S JOURNEY approximately 800,000 square kilometers. In fosters international Most fish species migrate between different short, the Danube is an international river co-operation habitats during their life cycle. In the case of – the most international river in the world. sturgeons, this migration could range from The Danube’s source is the subject of much the Black Sea to Germany. At least until debate – particularly in Germany. Yet all agree hydropower plants and dams started to block that it lies somewhere in the Black Forest. Its the route in the 20th century. But now, delta is located on the border between habitats are protected and reconnected, for Romania and the Ukraine and is one of the example through fish ladders. These fish largest and most important wetlands on the migration aids should allow the sturgeons – planet. Home of countless animals, it is a as well as other fish – to circumvent the ­habitat of international standing. obstacles and penetrate again into the heart At the same time, the Danube is a major of Europe. European waterway. It is essential for the Take, for example, the Iron Gate. Here in production of renewable energy from hydro­ the 1970s and ‘80s the largest hydroelectric power; it supplies agriculture with water, and power stations were built along the Danube, factories, industries, and cities are concen­ putting the sturgeons’ 800-kilometer journey trated on its banks. to an abrupt end. A feasibility study is currently examining the possible erection of ie Donau ist ein Strom, der verbindet. STEPS FORWARD fish ladders that, for the project “Iron Gate 1” In jeder Hinsicht: Rund 2.800 The European Union recognises the impor- alone, bridge an altitude difference of 35 DKilometer lang ist die Donau, 19 tance of the Danube, initiating its own Danube meters, providing the fish with another 800 Länder mit rund 81 Millionen Menschen sind Region strategy. This region should spark kilometers of “open road”. Meanwhile, former Teil ihres Einzugsgebietes mit einer Fläche von action in business, society, science and culture. floodplains and wetlands are being reactivated etwa 800.000 Quadratkilometern. Kurz, die That‘s a big task for a river, even if it is the in the lower reaches of the Danube so that the Donau ist ein internationaler Fluss. Sie ist der second-largest on the continent after the Volga. river can widen and provide better living internationalste Strom weltweit und unver­ And this task has been expanded by an conditions for fish. zichtbar, wenn es um die Gewinnung erneuer­ additional aspect: the environment. Therefore, The special thing about it, though, is that barer Energie durch Wasserkraft geht; sie ICPDR President Ermina Salkicevic-Dizdarevic these steps are not adopted and implemented sichert die Versorgung der Landwirtschaft mit emphasizes: “The ICPDR is a positive, interna- “top-down,” but rather by all of the involved Wasser; an ihren Ufern konzentrieren sich tionally recognised example of cooperation in stakeholders. Thus the Danube is not only a Fabriken, Industrien, Metropolen. Immer a transboundary river system. Implementation green corridor in the middle of Europe, it is wichtiger aber wird ihre ökologische Dimen­ of agreements such as the Danube Protection simultaneously a forum for dialogue and sion. Sie ist ein „grüner Korridor“, der sich Convention, the EU Water Framework common development – a sustainable process quer durch den Kontinent spannt. Und damit Directive or the EU Floods Directive are the in every sense of the word. hat sie das Potenzial, zum Vorzeigeprojekt zu reason why the ICPDR is a bright example for This process has aroused interest from afar werden. Etwa wenn es darum geht, grenzüber­ all water organisations. We are all working to – for example in Southern Africa, where the schreitende Flussraumbewirtschaftung achieve international cooperation in the Orange Senqu River Commission is located. erfolgreich zu implementieren. Oder in conservation of our planet’s natural heritage The commission has been in intensive contact Belangen des Umweltschutzes – kaum sonstwo – which we have only borrowed from future with the ICPDR since 2007, in order to adapt noch gibt es mehr und so große Augebiete wie generations.” the experiences of the Danube’s residents to an ihrem Lauf. Zudem versorgt sie ihre

Rivers are habitats. This is true for the southern African conditions and to implement Anrainer mit Wasser – weswegen ihrem Schutz KAPIA Danube as well as for all other European rivers. new strategies. Claudio Magris is right: the und ihrer Reinheit größtes Augenmerk

They not only serve the people, but they are Danube River is a river that connects. geschenkt werden muss. O Photos:

Universum Special | 2013 06 Thames Success Story 07

CITYLIFE: About 13 million people live within the Thames´s catchment area. challenges as before. To be sure, the old industries are now closed, and London is no longer a port city. But on its short journey from the middle of the country to the North Sea, the Thames passes idyllic spots such as the Cotswolds and Oxford, as well as the bustling The capital of London. Its watershed covers an area Comeback Kid of about 16,000 square kilometers, populated by 13 million people. Plus, it ebbs and flows, Once heavily polluted, rising and falling up to seven meters. the River Thames The comeback of the Thames can be has recovered. attributed to a series of carefully planned and interweav­ing measures of the Environment Agency: In the area of agriculture, a coopera­ tion with farmers significantly reduced pollution through pesticides. The Jubilee River was rehabilitated so that it can meander along a distance of eleven kilometers again. This not only creates habitats for plants and animals, but also results in better flood protection for 5,500 houses.

URBAN INITIATIVES Within the “London Rivers Action Plan,” the urban rivers of London are also being renaturated. More than 60 projects have his is the mark of the industrialized been initiated since 2009. world: In the year 1858, the extremely Tide protection has been improved, which is Tpolluted River Thames in London stank especially important when storms push water m 18. Jahrhundert war die Themse zu der so much that the meetings of the House of inland from the sea. The Lee Tunnel and the am dichtesten befahrenen Wasserstraße Commons in Westminster had to be suspended. Thames Tunnel should relieve this situation. IEuropas geworden. Im Zuge der Industria­ Shortly thereafter, construction of a sewage Sustainable management for the reduction of lisierung ergossen sich nicht nur die Abwäs­ system began in the British metropolis. The flood surges at the mouth of the Thames has ser Londons weitgehend ungefiltert in den problem of the extreme odor was curbed to been initiated – a plan that spans 100 years and Fluss, sondern auch jene der Industrie­ some extent, but the river itself was not will protect 1.2 million people. betriebe. 1950 galt Großbritanniens zweit­ preserved. “In the last 150 years, the Thames has been längster Fluss (294 Kilometer vom Ursprung By the 18th century the Thames had become to hell and back, but now it really is back. This bis zur Mündung) als biologisch tot. Noch­ is rb o

the most heavily frequented waterway in recovery didn‘t just happen, it took thousands mals 63 Jahre später ist alles anders. Die g y/C n i Europe. During industrialization, it was not of people and billions of pounds over many Themse lebt. Sie ist gesund. Sie zählt zu den t e rd a only the city‘s sewage that flowed unfiltered decades to reach this point – and it‘s important saubersten Flüssen in einer Millionenmetro­ oci S into the river, but also all the wastewater from that rivers around the world hear about the pole weltweit. An ihren Ufern tummeln sich t H ber aphic r Ro

the industrial plants. In 1950, 92 years after the highs and lows that we and our many partners Fischotter; Meeresforellen schwimmen / og ack

“great stink,” Great Britain‘s second-­longest have had along the way,” says Alistair Driver, stromaufwärts. Selbst ein Wal hat sich 2006 l l Ge l a t B n river (294 kilometers from the source to the National Conservation Manager. in die Themse verirrt. Unter Menschen, vor r a u t

mouth) was declared biologically dead. And yet, there is no time to rest on our allem unter Politikern, gibt es die sogenann­ Natio , S / is iss

Another 63 years later, everything has laurels. The challenges are not disappearing: ten „Comeback Kids“, unter den Flüssen wäre rb o h e

changed. The Thames is alive. It is healthy. And They‘re simply changing. London is one of the T e

der Themse diese Bezeichnung als erstem m/C , Mik , it is one of the cleanest rivers in a major city fastest-­growing cities in Europe, but its zuzuschreiben. Das Comeback der Themse aha is rb

worldwide. River otters frolic on its shores, sea infrastructure is not entirely up to date. The beruht auf einer Reihe sorgfältig aufeinander m Gr o i trout swim upstream. Even a whale once fragmentation of habitats and the imminent abgestimmter greifender Maßnahmen der ery/C

strayed up the Thames in 2006. The Thames effects of global warming all have consequen- Environment Agency – von Renaturierungs­ ag can truly be described as a “comeback kid”. Yet ces for the Thames. Consequences that we can projekten, über besseren Tidenschutz bis hin rld Im rld o PHOTOS: OKAPIA, T the river still faces more or less the same get under control. zu Überflutungsräumen. W

Universum Special | 2013 08 Rhone Climate Change 09

hat a journey: Starting from the Agency, is that the people are involved in this highest peaks of the Alps, the Rhone process. The River Basin Committee plays an W winds through one of the oldest important role, “a kind of ‘water parliament’, culture landscapes of Europe, past cities like which votes on policies as well as the fees for Avignon and Arles and then, after 812 kilo­ water with­drawal,” says Cottet. From 2007 to meters, flowing through the ­Camargue delta 2012 alone, more than three billion euros into the Mediterranean Sea. Its watershed were invested in measures against pollution, covers 95,500 square kilometers, including for resource management, studies and parts of Switzerland, the French Jura and distributing information. Roughly 10,000 Provence. Due to its north-south orientation, hectares around the river will be renaturated the wide Rhone valley makes way for the mild or better protected, 60 water-treatment ­Mediterranean climate to reach deep into the plants will be set up to treat water polluted Feel continent, providing optimal conditions for with toxins, and strategic drinking water planting fruit and wine. Thus the Rhone has reserves will be secured. the Heat always been an important river. But the French are not alone in this project: How France and Switzerland Yet its importance has also led to inter­ The measures are supported by the United cope with the challenge of ference over the years. The first Rhone Nations Economic Commission for Europe correction took place in the 19th century, (UNECE) and coordinated bilaterally with global warming during which land was seized for cultivation. Switzerland. Cooperation is a prerequisite for During the second correction from 1930 to successful work, as Nicholas Bonvoisin of the 1960, levees were raised, creating a double UNECE Water Convention demonstrates: “The profile with a main channel and floodplains. cross-border collaboration creates a broad Flooding is one challenge that is always knowledge base, provides more room for joint FAMOUS: associated with the Rhone, and the situation planning and implementation as well as the Along the Rhone river one can find threatens to worsen due to global warming and possibility to share the costs and the benefits.” ­iconic cities like Avignon or the its consequences. The dry Mediterranean ­wetlands of the Camargue climate is expanding noticeably to the north. That means longer, hotter and dryer summers, but also more precipitation in the winter. as für eine Reise! Von den höchsten The effects include lower water levels, Gipfeln der Alpen windet sich die Rhone increased water temperatures, a greater risk of W durch eine der ältesten Kulturland- flooding and – due to rising sea levels – conse­ schaften Europas, vorbei an Städten wie Avignon quences for the Camargue delta region. und Arles, bis sie sich nach einer Reise von gerade einmal 812 Kilometern durch die Deltalandschaft NEW STRATEGIES der Camargue in das Mittelmeer ergießt. 95.500 Thus since the year 2000, new water manage­ Quadratkilometer umfasst ihr Einzugsgebiet mit ment strategies for the Rhone have been in the Teilen der Schweiz und des französischen Jura und works. These strategies affect 15 million der Provence. Seit jeher ein wichtiger Fluss. Und people in the French watershed area alone – ­ einer, der vor einer großen Herausforderung steht: a region that generates 50 percent of French Angesichts der globalen Erwärmung breitet sich das ­tourism revenues. trockene mediterrane Klima zusehends nach The plans are aimed primarily at preven­tion, Norden aus. Das bedeutet längere, heißere und i.e. decreasing water consumption by the trockenere Sommer, aber auch höhere Nieder- population, agriculture and industry. Mean­ schlagsmengen im Winter. Seit dem Jahr 2000 wird while, the water quality will be improved, and am Lauf der Rhone daher an neuen Strategien zum new water resources for the river will be Wassermanagement gearbeitet. Strategien, die gained; the renaturation of the course of the allein im französischen Einzugsgebiet rund 15 river will play a significant role in these efforts. Millionen Menschen betreffen, und eine Region, die The Rhone will finally be given more space 50 Prozent der franzö­sischen Einnahmen aus dem again. Space to spread out. Tourismus erwirtschaftet. Dabei zielen die Pläne What is essential, according to Jacky und Maßnahmen in erster Linie auf Prävention und Cottet, president of the Management Board of

eine enge Einbindung der Bevölkerung ab. OKAPIAPHOTOS: the Rhone-Mediterranean and Corsica Water

Universum Special | 2013 10 Dnieper Fighting Pollution 11

ntreated sewage, pollution, highly launched jointly by Belarus and the Ukraine, toxic waste, sludge, extreme supported by the United Nations Development demands placed by resident Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations industries and the resulting, Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Upartially dried-out tributaries – if any Euro- funded by the Global Environment Facility pean river is feeling the weight of environ­ (GEF). It is first and foremost dedicated to fast, Under mental issues, it is the Dnieper. At 2,200 decisive actions, such as reducing the toxic Pressure kilometers long, its watershed spans approxi- ­pollution of the river water; implementing mately 532,000 square kilometers in Russia, modern, efficient filtration systems and After decades of pollution, Belarus, and the Ukraine, where it flows into implementing actions that other industrial Europe´s third-longest river the Black Sea. The ancient Greeks named it companies and municipalities support with comes back to life ­“Borysthenes” (the river flowing from the know-how and techno­logy while encouraging North), and it is also known as “Slavutich” others to follow suit. (Slavic river). It is the third-longest river on the continent. ATTRACTING INVESTMENTS And still, it is a stepchild, hardly known or Even more so, the program partners will also

apia noticed beyond these three countries. It was ensure that their joint efforts to clean up the , Ok , is

b also subject to abuse in the 20th century, as Dnieper will attract international attention – or

/C the agrarian society turned into an industrial and thus long-term investments by institu- one, taking its toll. In the 1990s, the effects tions such as the European Bank for Recon­ hoto were hard to ignore. Especially at the middle struction and Development and the World and lower reaches of the Dnieper, which, Bank. It’s no coincidence that the program though heavy and chemical industries and the focuses on medium-sized industrial enter­ exploitation of all resources, were – and still prises supported in the use of new technolo-

ITAR-TASS/ITAR-TASS P ITAR-TASS/ITAR-TASS are –marked by the absence of any environ- gies in the field of waste management.

hoto mental considerations or principles. ­Sustainable funding models and local regula­ However, that changed, and continues to tory and monitoring processes will be deve­

PHOTOS: P PHOTOS: change. In 2000, the “Dnieper Program“ was loped accordingly. The goal is easily outlined: By providing low-cost but sustainable techno- logies and the use of precise information and ngeklärte Abwässer, Verschmutzung, support, companies should be able to operate hohe toxische Belastungen, Verschlam- both economically and ecologically. In a first Umungen, extreme Beanspruchung durch step, more than 20 companies from Ukraine die angesiedelten Industrien und deswegen teils and Belarus were invited to participate in the ausgetrocknete Zuflüsse – wenn ein Fluss in program. For 15 of them, customized and Europa schwer an Umweltproblemen zu tragen cost-effective recommendations were deve­ hat, dann der Dnjepr. 2.200 Kilometer ist er lang loped. Five companies were selected as pilot und umfasst ein Einzugsgebiet von rund 532.000 projects for the use of new technologies. Quadratkilometern. Seit dem Jahr 2000 existiert Simultaneously, for the first time the das von Belarus und der Ukraine gemeinsam ins current ecological status was applied to allow Leben gerufene, von United Nations Develop- for optimization of the existing natural ment Programme (UNDP) und United Nations resources. Scientists from Belarus and Office for Project Services (UNOPS) unterstütz- Ukraine have now been singled out and te und von der Global Environment Facility (GEF) described in 14 high-quality ecological sources. finanzierte „Dnjepr Programm“. Dabei geht es A drop in the ocean? On the contrary. zuvörderst um schnelle, intensive Maßnahmen. When local companies show that economic Um die Reduktion der toxischen Belastung des benefits can be gained by implementing new Flusswassers; den Einsatz moderner, leistungs- technologies and complying with environ­ fähiger Filteran­lagen; das Umsetzen von mental standards, they serve as role models, MAJESTIC: Demonstrations­projekten, die andere Industrie- especially for medium-sized enterprises in Before passing Kiev, betriebe und Kommunen mit Know-how und search of new business. Some things keep the Dnieper river Technologie versorgen und zur Nachahmung quietly to themselves, without much fuss. travels through Russia animieren. That‘s good for the Dnieper. and Belarus.

Universum Special | 2013 12 Black Sea/Baltic Sea Destinations 13

lüsse streben zum Meer. Letztendlich und ith few exceptions, rivers ultimately von wenigen Ausnahmen abgesehen. Und strive towards the sea. And there, in F dort, im Mündungsgebiet, entfalten sich W their estuaries, grandiose worlds bisweilen grandiose Welten. Zwischenwelten, die unfold: worlds between land and sea, created by sich aus dem Zusammenspiel von Süß- und the interplay of salt and fresh water. That is one Salzwasser ergeben. Das ist die eine Seite. Die side. The other side is characterized by all that andere aber ist geprägt von dem, was die Ströme the rivers carry with them: sediments, debris, mit sich bringen. Als da sind Sedimente, Ablage- sewage, nutrients, and toxins. Toxins are rungen, Abwässer, Nährstoffe, Toxine. Vor allem especially problematic, particularly when they letztere sind problematisch. Zumal, wenn sie in reach inland seas. For example, seas like the Binnenmeere gelangen. In Meere wie die Ostsee Baltic or the Black Sea. Due to the fact that oder das Schwarze Meer. Gerade diese beiden, they have low water levels, little exchange with geprägt durch geringe Wassertiefen, durch einen other seas, relatively high temperatures and geringen Wasseraustausch mit anderen Meeren, unique sea life, these two seas react especially durch relativ hohe Wassertemperaturen und eine sensitively to pollution. And pollution is not the jeweils einzigartige Meeresfauna und -flora, only burden that these seas have to deal with. reagieren höchst empfindlich auf Belastungen. Both are considered to be core areas of Damit kommt gerade den Flüssen besonderes economic development within the European Augenmerk zu. Zum Beispiel im Fall des Schwarzen Union. They are intended to be the starting Meeres: Mit dem Projekt MONERIS (Modelling Of points for economic recovery stimuli for the Nutrient Emissions in River Systems) wurden entire continent, and new markets are to be zwischen 2001 und 2005 die Quellen sowie die established around them – bringing all the Transportwege der Emissionen identifiziert und consequences resulting from an increase in Maßnahmen zu ihrer Reduktion erarbeitet. transport to an increase in the population, UNIQUE: industry and development. The Black and the And what does that mean for the Black Sea? Baltic Seas can not be TRACING EMISSIONS The chance to reduce pollution from the compared with others That is why their rivers are now receiving tri­but­aries and allow the sea to recover. like the Mediterranean special attention – such as the Danube, whose That is also one of the clearly defined goals or the Atlantic Ocean. nutrient emissions flow into the Black Sea. of the EU Baltic Sea Strategy. Similarly to the They need special Sources of phosphate and nitrate pollution Black Sea, the Baltic suffers from the effects of attention. Europe´s found in the sea include sewage and agriculture. sewage, transportation and global warming. In The project MONERIS (Modelling Of Nutrient the action plan for 2009-2013, the reduction of Inland Emissions in River Systems) identified the the use of phosphates in cleaning products as sources and transport paths of these emissions well as the promotion of measures to decrease Seas between 2001 and 2005 and has been developing wasteful activities on ships and in ports have Why rivers matter when measures to reduce them. The GIS-based model been defined and successfully implemented as will be used to calculate nutrient emissions. In “flagship projects”. The new action plan seeks to it comes to saving combination with the Danube Water Quality strengthen collaboration on the local, regional our seas. Model and the Danube Delta Model, this and national levels. A simple system of project will yield accurate results regarding the implementation should be established, which current level of pollution and its sources. makes better use of the available structures, The project EnviroGRIDS, on the other existing institutions, financing and legislation. hand, covers all Black Sea tributaries, from In the future, a monitoring system will ensure the Danube to the Dnieper to the Kizilirmak the successful implementation of the strategies River in Turkey. EnviroGRIDS serves as an using set targets.

A obser­vation system, acting as an early With the strategies for the Baltic Sea and for I warning system by connecting all available the Danube Region, the European Union has , OKAP, s data, while also helping to formulate long- focused twice on large inland seas in Europe –

o rbi term policies. It‘s a pilot project of global not only on their profitability, but also on significance, since it has been adopted as an saving and preserving these bodies of water. integral component of the Global Earth And that usually starts somewhere upstream.

PHOTOS: NASA/C Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). Deep in the heart of the continent.

Universum Special | 2013 14 Short News 15

River Rhine: The Rhine is the twelfth, longest The Finalists of the European RiverPrize river in Europe and a landmark in ­Düsseldorf – one of the many cities The Órbigo River covers a variety of actions including Upper Drau Mura-Drava-Danube by the river. Spain recovering “room for the river”, Austria Austria, Croatia, Hungary, improving lateral connectivity and the Serbia and Slovenia The Órbigo River is located within the recovery of secondary channels and With the building of the rail road line Duero Basin. Here, water management other para-river structures which through the Upper Drau Valley in The Mura-Drava-Danube River strategies have evolved historically reduced ecological functioning about 1870, regulatory procedures set corridor hosts highly valuable from a view of the hydrologic cycle as because of channelization. The the river’s course in order to reduce natural and cultural landscapes in all a resource to a more integrated and approach also includes public partici- flood danger, intensive agricultural five countries. Despite numerous, focused approach encompassing pation, education and training and a use and to expand settlement areas. unsustainable human practices, this ecological functioning. This approach volunteering program. The wetlands valley floor shrank. In stunning river landscape has kept an fits under the EU legislation on water, spite of these developments, the Upper amazing biological diversity. For particularly the Water Framework Der Rio Órbigo ist Teil des Flusssystems Drau still accommodated numerous many local people, the intact river Directive and Floods Directive. des Duero und das “Rio Órbigo natural resources. In the early 1990ies, and floodplains are vital for their Subsequently, Spain promoted a Renaturierungsprojekt” ein erfolg­ the water management section of the livelihoods, sustaining, forestry, change in the management of river reiches Beispiel dafür, wie Gewässer­ regional government, hydraulic agriculture, recreation and tourism systems and the integration with land bewirtschaftung und Landnutzungs­ engineers and environmentalists as well as clean water for drinking. use following sustainability criteria, politiken miteinander verbunden recognised their common interests Still, the corridor’s distinctive while encouraging engagement and werden können. Es umfasst mehrere about the Upper Drau. This led to an natural values are at risk. Since 1993, civil participation, and technical Aktionen, z.B. die Rückgewinnung von intensive collaboration, where both NGOs have been campaigning to training in this new approach. The Flussraum. water management as well as nature protect the unique landscape in a Órbigo River Restoration Project was conservation experts worked together. Transboundary Biosphere Reserve or designed for this purpose: it is an The first rehabilitation measures TBR. Gradually, public administra- example of integration of both water began in the form of river widening. tions and NGOs cooperated to River Rhine almost complete, with sixty-seven fish management and land use policies. It Now, about 25 per cent of the 68 achieve jointly the implementation of Germany, France, Luxembourg, species being detected. All historically kilometre long river section from the TBR. Conflicting management Netherlands, Switzerland, EU identified species except for one have Oberdrauburg to Paternion in the practices such as regulating the returned. In addition to key river district of Spittal (Carinthia, Austria) natural river courses, extracting Following half a century of river health improvements, the main aims has been restored. This collaboration sediments and building new hydro­ degradation and a chemical accident of the International Commission for and on-ground works have culminated dams are threatening the TBR’s near Basel in 1986 resulting in the Protection of the Rhine include in the River Drau, together with its ecological integrity. Continued hundreds of kilometres of river being harmony in water use and environ- riparian zone being declared a public information provided by NGOs polluted and the mass death of fish, mental objectives under the European European Protected Area in 2011. and the European Union accession eels and other aquatic organisms, the Union Water Framework, flood requirements motivated all five countries of the River Rhine realised prevention, adaption to climate Um 1870 wurde mit dem Eisenbahnbau countries along the river to set up that a fundamental shift in thinking change, sustainable development, durch das Tal der Oberen Drau der various protected areas. This was required for the management of human health and cultural heritage. Fluss stark reguliert; es schrumpften conservation commitment reduced this major transnational river. die Auengebiete. In den frühen 1990ern and then stopped river-deteriorating Following investments by the states, Nach einem halben Jahrhundert starker arbeiteten dann Experten der Gewäs- interests. municipalities and industry, more Degradierung des Rheins und einem serbewirtschaftung und des Natur- than ninety-six per cent of the Chemieunfall mit schwerwiegenden schutzes für eine Flussrehabilitierung In der Flusslandschaft von Mur, Drau fifty-eight million inhabitants of the Folgen 1986 fand ein Umdenken statt: zusammen. Heute sind 25 Prozent des und Donau finden sich in allen fünf Rhine catchment are today connected Staatliche, kommunale und industrielle 68 Kilometer langen Flussabschnittes Ländern wertvolle natürliche und to urban wastewater treatment plants Investitionen verbesserten den Umgang von Oberdrauburg bis Paternion kulturelle Landschaften. Auch wenn and many industrial sites now dispose mit Abwässern – die Wasserqualität naturnah wiederhergestellt. die Region noch eine hohe biologische of waste via modern treatment plants. nahm wieder zu. Heute ist der Sauer- Vielfalt aufweist: Ihre charakteristi- As a result, water quality has im­ stoffgehalt des grenzüberschreitenden ck sche naturräumliche Ausstattung ist proved considerably and oxygen levels Flusses wieder auf dem Normalstand. sto

er gefährdet. Durch die Arbeit von NGOs are back to normal. The chemical tt u

h und die Vorgaben bei der EU-Erweite- status of most groundwater bodies is rung haben alle fünf Staaten Schutz- good; and inventories show that fish

PHOTOS: S PHOTOS: gebiete im Flussgebiet eingerichtet. species composition in the Rhine is

Universum Special | 2013