**9. The natural park from the southern sector of Prut basin**

Declaring the LOWER MEADOW OF THE INFERIOR PRUT RIVER NATURAL PARK in the southern part of Prut hydrographical basin is the result of the interaction between human activities and nature over time.

This protected area was created as a distinct area with a significant landscape value and with a great biological diversity where, through the maintenance of a harmonious interaction of man with nature and through the protection of the diversity of habitats and landscape, the traditional use of lands and some activities by the local population are encouraged (Figure 6-7).

In addition, the public is offered recreational activities and tourism and may unfold scientific, educational and cultural activities in the area.

#### **9.1. Ecological considerations**

144 Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization in a Diverse World

species and 18 passing species are still living in this area.

Ramsar in 1971 and ratified by Romania through law no. 5/1991.

economic, natural, scientific and recreational value [12].

cultural values of the river communities.

**8.2. The Maţa – Rădeanu complex of lakes** 

Natural Park, as part of the *Green Corridor* of the Danube.

the political or administrative ones.

little egret, great crested grebe etc.

The birds, more than any group of vertebrates, have a large living surface in the area presented in terms of the number of species as well as the number of individuals. The largest part of the birds found in the area are migrating species (44 species) representing international natural resources; among these, we mention the white stork, the bee-eater, the

The implementation of some efficient measures for the protection of these populations and their habitats is necessary in order to comply with conventions and international agreements for the protection of wild flora and fauna, ratified by Romania. 31 sedentary

From the total number of the species, 22 represent community interest, 27 species whose preservation needs the designation of avifaunistic protection areas and 39 species found under strict protection, according to Directive 79/409/EEC on the preservation of wild birds. The project implementation for the declaration of the Stânca-Costeşti lake area as special avifaunistic protected area shall aim to preserve and restore the viable populations of birds specific to the humid climates, according to the stipulations of the Convention on the humid areas of international importance, especially as a habitat of aquatic birds, concluded at

In this context, the preservation of humid areas includes an important cross-border component, in the sense of the collaboration and adoption of a common and unitary strategy regarding the integrated administration and the management of the humid areas, the great

Conferring in the future the official status of "cross-border protected site" to this area shall allow the establishment of restrictive measures for the protection and the preservation of biodiversity. Moreover, it shall encourage the preservation of the traditional practices of sustainable revaluation of the natural resources and the preservation of the social and

The European Union promotes a clear policy of cross-border collaboration for saving and perpetuating the natural and cultural heritage, supporting the interstate collaboration initiatives, in order to preserve the natural eco-systems, whose borders do not depend on

The Maţa – Rădeanu complex of lakes and ponds from the Lower Meadow of Prut River reservation (position 2.414 from appendix I of Law 5/2000) is an area that defines the establishment in the southern part of Prut basin of a special protection unit such as a

The complex of lakes and ponds in the north part of the Natural Park called Lower Meadow of the Inferior Prut River is developing through the fittings set on a surface exceeding 640 hectares. The initial usage category: pond (360 ha), meadow (71 ha), swamp (50 ha), The north group (Maţa pond, at the border of Vaslui county) made of two ponds (135 ha representing the low area of the pond and 57 ha – the high area of the pond) and the south group (Rădeanu pond: 342 ha of water + 78 ha of agricultural surface).

Regarding Rădeanu pond, from the south-western part of Elan stream (inferior course), this presents features of integral natural area within which the water alternates with the reed, backwater, swampy surface, where the colonies of birds are present all year round.

The proposed surface as a special avifaunistic protection area is of 194 hectares.

Practically, because of the inadequate exploitation of numerous hydrotechnical works, especially because of the lack of financial resources, at the moment there are 148 ha of fishing ponds still functional (Figure 8).

The area of the Natural Park fits the type of habitat formed of: Natural eutrophic lakes with a *Magnopotamion* or *Hydrocharition*-type vegetation (Natura 2000 code of habitats: 3150) and lakes or dirty grey to blue – green water ponds, more or less turbid, especially rich in basic substances (pH usually higher than 7), many freely floating *Hydrocharition* communities being present at the surface or, in case of the deep systems and open water surfaces, the *Hydrocharition* communities are associated to the submersed vegetation formed of large cormophytes (*Magnopotamion*) (Figure 9).

Integrated Measurements for Biodiversity Conservation in Lower Prut Basin 147

**Figure 7.** Southern part of Lower Meadow of Prut Natural Park

**Figure 6.** Northern part of Lower Meadow of Prut Natural Park

**Figure 7.** Southern part of Lower Meadow of Prut Natural Park

**Figure 6.** Northern part of Lower Meadow of Prut Natural Park

Integrated Measurements for Biodiversity Conservation in Lower Prut Basin 149

166 and 167; the area with dams of Prut river between Giurgiuleşti customs point, (topographical landmark 1333 on Prut river and the forest landmark 23, OS Galaţi) and Vlădeşti (topographical landmark 1297 on Prut river) which includes the forest plots and

The flood area of Prut river that includes Pochina – Rogojeni lake, including the associated reed area and paludicolous vegetation, and Vădeni area located between the junction of

This lake is on the north border of Galaţi county with Vaslui county, between topographical landmarks 1260 and 1252, on Prut river, which includes Teleajen lake and Cacia, Maţa and Rădeanu Ponds and the reed areas, agricultural surfaces, meadows and border forests; the area of Prut river between the river bank and the thalweg of the water flow on a distance of 122.4 km, between the junction of the Danube right next to the forest landmark 21, OS Galaţi, respectively the topographical landmark 1335, on Prut river, and the topographical

We propose the following potential demonstration sites for wetland management and


Based on the analysis of the premises and conclusions that have emerged there can be extracted a series of proposals to solve the problem. The most important aspects are the technical (technical works for effective exploitation of water resources and the role improvement works combined with fish farming biotechnology) and organizational ones

subplots 11 - 81 A, including lakes, ponds and reed area.

Stâlpului stream with Prut river (Figure 10).

**Figure 10.** Biodiversity aspect in Pochina lake area

landmark 1252, from Cotu Rusului, on Prut river [14].

restoration projects in the Lower Prut basin:


(decision-makers involved and the specific tasks) [15].

Ghimia brook;

**10. Proposal for wetland management and solutions** 

**Figure 8.** Biodiversity aspect in Mata-Radeanu complex of lakes

**Figure 9.** Natural potential for touristic activities in Lower Meadow of the Inferior Prut River Natural Park

The specific plants of the area are the duck weed (*Lemna, Spirodella, Wolffia)*, *Hydrocharis morsus – ranae* (frog bit), *Stratiotes aloides* (water soldier), species of bladderwort (*Utricularia australis, Utricularia vulgaris, etc*.), *Aldrovanda vesiculosa* (waterwheel plant), ferns of *Azolla*  type, aquatic moss of *Riccia* and *Ricciocarpus* types, different submersed cormophytes like the species of shining pond weed, such as *Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton praelongus, Potamogeton zizii, Potamogeton perfoliatus,* etc.

#### **9.2. The description of special preservation areas**

The Lower Meadow of Inferior Prut River Natural Park includes all the flood meadow of Prut river on the administrative territory of Galaţi county. The Lower Meadow of Inferior Prut River Natural Park has the endorsement of CMN 19/Cj/18.02.2003. The planning maps of UP V Prut Meadow were drawn up by SILVAPROIECT, in 1995.

The special preservation area of the Lower Meadow of Inferior Prut River Natural Park includes: Brateş lake, including the fishery and the reed area and paludicolous vegetation, etc.; Prut Isle, with u.a. 82 from UP V Prut Meadow of OS Galaţi, between forest landmarks 166 and 167; the area with dams of Prut river between Giurgiuleşti customs point, (topographical landmark 1333 on Prut river and the forest landmark 23, OS Galaţi) and Vlădeşti (topographical landmark 1297 on Prut river) which includes the forest plots and subplots 11 - 81 A, including lakes, ponds and reed area.

The flood area of Prut river that includes Pochina – Rogojeni lake, including the associated reed area and paludicolous vegetation, and Vădeni area located between the junction of Stâlpului stream with Prut river (Figure 10).

**Figure 10.** Biodiversity aspect in Pochina lake area

148 Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization in a Diverse World

**Figure 8.** Biodiversity aspect in Mata-Radeanu complex of lakes

*Potamogeton zizii, Potamogeton perfoliatus,* etc.

**9.2. The description of special preservation areas** 

of UP V Prut Meadow were drawn up by SILVAPROIECT, in 1995.

Park

**Figure 9.** Natural potential for touristic activities in Lower Meadow of the Inferior Prut River Natural

The specific plants of the area are the duck weed (*Lemna, Spirodella, Wolffia)*, *Hydrocharis morsus – ranae* (frog bit), *Stratiotes aloides* (water soldier), species of bladderwort (*Utricularia australis, Utricularia vulgaris, etc*.), *Aldrovanda vesiculosa* (waterwheel plant), ferns of *Azolla*  type, aquatic moss of *Riccia* and *Ricciocarpus* types, different submersed cormophytes like the species of shining pond weed, such as *Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton praelongus,* 

The Lower Meadow of Inferior Prut River Natural Park includes all the flood meadow of Prut river on the administrative territory of Galaţi county. The Lower Meadow of Inferior Prut River Natural Park has the endorsement of CMN 19/Cj/18.02.2003. The planning maps

The special preservation area of the Lower Meadow of Inferior Prut River Natural Park includes: Brateş lake, including the fishery and the reed area and paludicolous vegetation, etc.; Prut Isle, with u.a. 82 from UP V Prut Meadow of OS Galaţi, between forest landmarks This lake is on the north border of Galaţi county with Vaslui county, between topographical landmarks 1260 and 1252, on Prut river, which includes Teleajen lake and Cacia, Maţa and Rădeanu Ponds and the reed areas, agricultural surfaces, meadows and border forests; the area of Prut river between the river bank and the thalweg of the water flow on a distance of 122.4 km, between the junction of the Danube right next to the forest landmark 21, OS Galaţi, respectively the topographical landmark 1335, on Prut river, and the topographical landmark 1252, from Cotu Rusului, on Prut river [14].
