**12. Effects of anthropogenic activities on wetlands and floodplains**

The human pressure has been led to the changes of structure and functionality of the wetlands floodplains and of the Prut river, characterized through the apparition of a strongly anthropizated environment [19].

The key issues of anthropogenic activities which have had effects on wetlands and floodplains of the river Prut are represented in table 8.

154 Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization in a Diverse World

100,000 ha and the drainage systems is about 130,000 ha.

of channels and ditches were constructed in the years 70s and 80s.

to another big wetlands Danube Delta and the Danub-Macin complex [18].

This was mainly happening inside of the protected area, in the agricultural land.

mainly economically-oriented management and less in the favor of biodiversity.

**12. Effects of anthropogenic activities on wetlands and floodplains** 

The human pressure has been led to the changes of structure and functionality of the wetlands floodplains and of the Prut river, characterized through the apparition of a

and biodiversity conditions enhancement.

strongly anthropizated environment [19].

**wetlands** 

stepisation.

of the river.

**11. Irrigations and works for this purpose in lower Prut basin related to** 

The total surface included in the irrigation system in the Prut catchment area is about

In the irrigation system about 40,000 mc water are used, which are contributing to the groundwater sources increase. The dykes created near the river have reduced the floodplain wetlands, has disconnected the land from the river and creates problem with salinity and

A part of the reservoirs mentioned above are used for water supply for irrigations. Other sources are the rivers and groundwater from the region and for distribution a large network

This has influenced the water flow regime as well as the supply of wetlands and floodplains

As a result of the drainage and irrigation systems created 2/3 of the Lake Brates (located in soth part of the basin) has disappeared its well as a lot of swamps, meadows, reed beds, which represented habitats for a high biodiversity, especially because it was closed located

In the management plan for wetlands as well as in the proposal for future actions these channels are proposed for creations of micro-area for nature conservation. Fortunately a floodplain area was saved having about 5,000 ha in the lower part of Prut and located between embankments and river which in some places has few hundred meters width.

This is characterized by a flood plain with good water dynamics, flood plain gallery forest with different species, floodplain small lakes with macrophytes, meadows and reed beds which still preserves a number of birds and animal species, but which is characterized by a

A recent study produced by WWF Danube - Carpathian Programme within the Danube Pollution Reduction Programme has indicated that about 51,000 ha. are possible to be restored in the locations of the previous wetlands and flood plains from the lower Prut area. This will allow the restoration of floodplain by reconnecting areas to the water river dynamics having as effect improvement of water quality, restoration of wetland vegetation Regarding the industrial and diffuse pollution which have an impact on Prut ecology and water quality, this being closely linked with the ecology of the floodplain forested corridor and the existing wetlands, the situation is much severe in the upper part of the basin, based on a large concentration of industry, agriculture and human settlements in comparison with the lower Prut where the impact is much smaller.


**Table 8.** The key issues of anthropogenic activities which have had effects on wetlands and floodplains
