**3. Review of current river management practices and assessment of anthropogenic activities**

From hydrological point of view the following data have been gathered for the Prut River Basin, part on the Romanian territory (figure 1). Main attitude at the entrance in Romania is about 140 m (above Black Sea. level). Main altitude at the discharge in Danube about 15m (Black Sea). Average multiannual runoff is 88 m3/s, maximum multiannual runoff (1952- 2010) is 4240 m3/s in 2008 at Radauti-Prut hydrometric station. Minimum multiannual runoff (1952-2010) is 7.6 m3/s. On the Romanian territory (at the entrance in the country ) for 1952- 2010 period the data referring to the flow characteristics are included in the table 1 below:


**Table 1.** The flow characteristics during 1952-2010 in the Romanian section of the basin

As the lower Prut area is situated in the Eastern part of the country, the climate is influenced by the vicinity with the Carpathian Mountains in the West. Moldavian plain in the East and the river Danube meadow the South. This creates some small changes in comparison with the average level at the normal level for temperature, precipitation and winds. The average precipitation is between 690 mm (1989) - 515 mm (1993)-632,27 mm (1996) with an average net flow of 174 mm (1988) -130 mm (1992) and 159,45 mm (1996).

The main human activities for which water use demands normally identified are: hydrotechnical works and flood protection schemes, source for water supply, for urban and rural use, electrical energy, agriculture, fisheries, industry and others [2].

## **4. General data**

Prut basin, through the variety of geomorphic elements, of flora and fauna, is permanently subjected to the researches of various experts from Romania, Republic of Moldova or other countries.

**Figure 1.** Prut basin – general overview

because of the lateral losses [1].

**anthropogenic activities** 

Rădăuţi-

**station** Todireni Podu Iloaie Podu

**Hydrometric station** 

**Hydrometric** 

**4. General data** 

countries.

The Prut river is an allochthon river that originates in the Woody Carpathians in Ukraine. Between Orofteana and the confluence with the Danube on the lengh of 946 km, it drains a basin of 28,463 sqkm. At Czernowitz (in Ukraine) the Prut river has a multi-annual average flow of 73.62 mc/s, it grows up to Fălciu at 103.48 mc/s, and then it comes down to 85.3 mc/s,

From hydrological point of view the following data have been gathered for the Prut River Basin, part on the Romanian territory (figure 1). Main attitude at the entrance in Romania is about 140 m (above Black Sea. level). Main altitude at the discharge in Danube about 15m (Black Sea). Average multiannual runoff is 88 m3/s, maximum multiannual runoff (1952- 2010) is 4240 m3/s in 2008 at Radauti-Prut hydrometric station. Minimum multiannual runoff (1952-2010) is 7.6 m3/s. On the Romanian territory (at the entrance in the country ) for 1952- 2010 period the data referring to the flow characteristics are included in the table 1 below:

Prut Ştefăneşti Ungheni Dorohoi Todireni <sup>B</sup>ădeni-

**river** Prut Başeu Prut Jijia Sitna Bahlui Jijia **m3/s** 78,28 1,94 85,97 0,66 2,03 0,44 6,65

**river** Jijia Bahlui Bahluieţ Bahlui Nicolina Elan Covurlui **m3/s** 2,21 1,18 1,08 3,01 0,43 0,49 0,56

As the lower Prut area is situated in the Eastern part of the country, the climate is influenced by the vicinity with the Carpathian Mountains in the West. Moldavian plain in the East and the river Danube meadow the South. This creates some small changes in comparison with the average level at the normal level for temperature, precipitation and winds. The average precipitation is between 690 mm (1989) - 515 mm (1993)-632,27 mm (1996) with an average

The main human activities for which water use demands normally identified are: hydrotechnical works and flood protection schemes, source for water supply, for urban and

Prut basin, through the variety of geomorphic elements, of flora and fauna, is permanently subjected to the researches of various experts from Romania, Republic of Moldova or other

**Table 1.** The flow characteristics during 1952-2010 in the Romanian section of the basin

net flow of 174 mm (1988) -130 mm (1992) and 159,45 mm (1996).

rural use, electrical energy, agriculture, fisheries, industry and others [2].

Hârlău

Iloaie Iaşi Iaşi Murgeni Fârţăneşti

Cărpinaţi-Victoria

**3. Review of current river management practices and assessment of** 

With regard to forests diversity, different kinds of wood trees can be found which are mostly specific for *silvostepa,* with alternation of plains, hills and forests. The structure of species composition is the following: *resinous trees* 30% (spruce fir, fir, pine tree and others) and *deciduous trees*-70% (fagus, representatives of Querqus family., different soft and hardwoods).

Integrated Measurements for Biodiversity Conservation in Lower Prut Basin 135

occurrence of the *Danubian Purple Emperor* is very probable for the lower Prut, because it has

*Fish: European mud-minnow* occurs on the lower Prut where the floodplains provide sufficient adequate habitats. *Blue bream* occurs regularly in the river downstream of the dam Stanca Costesti (a well-operating communication between the river and floodplain waters is guaranteed in this section). *Crucian carp* and *mud load* occur in the lower river, where

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

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

For all the types of existing habitats housing a large variety of fauna (especially avifauna), sedentary as well as migrating or passing fauna, the Maţa – Rădeanu humid area, with a surface of 386 ha, is similar to the special preservation areas from the Danube Delta. Other areas on Prut river may be considered similar the this one (Pochina lake, the area where dams are being built, between Vlădeşti and Giurgiuleşti customs point, Prut Isle, Brateş

Romania is part of the the Natura 2000 European Network (SPAs – Special Protection Areas and SCIs - Sites of Community Importance) aiming to protect wildlife and its habitats,2

Also, the national authority responsible for the protected areas in Romania is hardly starting the process (January, 2010) of handing out the Natura 2000 sites to different legal entities (NGOs, economic agencies, research institutes, local authorities etc.) in order to manage

GIS techniques and GPS means were used for the inventory and Land Register records of these types of surfaces and also for the integration in digital formats of the protected area

been found in the both adjacent lower Siret floodplain and the Danube Delta.

*Birds:* about the *White-tailed eagle* there is no breeding occurrence on the Prut.

**6. General frame and measurements for biodiversity protection** 

adequate aquatic habitats for the Crucian carp have been preserved.

Prut River Natural Park has the endorsement of CMN 19/Cj/18.02.2003.

cormophytes (*Magnopotamion*).

whose surface is not definitively established.

limits at a European level [6, 7].

lake) [5].

them.

Owing to the Law no 18/1991 (also called *Land Restitution Law*) within the Galati county a surface of 5,283 ha was given back to the former land forest owners.

The percent of forestation within the county is very low about 8% of the county total surface, being necessary to increase the forest surface through the forestry plans works or through ecological reconstruction [3].

Along the lower Prut river there is a forested corridor very well preserved and managed with typical tree species, playing a multifunctional role. Forest functions have actually diversified over time and as a result forest management practices are increasingly having to meet multipurpose requirements including such environmental functions as sustainability nature conservation and water buffer zone for flood management, as well as community (recreation, culture and aesthetics) and production functions.

With regard to the fauna, the most specific species are determined by the *steppe* and *silvostepa* zones. The most comune are rabbits, around squirrel, hamster and many others. From the bird's family can be mentioned bustard, quail, partridge and large types of flying birds. As representatives from other faunistic families can be mentioned fox, wolf, wild boar, as well as dear, squirrels, etc. There is a number of species (flora, fauna and forests) and locations which have been protected by law starting from 1930, which are organized as protected areas and monuments of nature.

The economic, activities in the region during the last several decades deteriorated the environmental balance in the basin area. Urbanization, industrial development, intensive agricultural practices, high density of railway and road networks, new reservoirs and other hydrotechnical works in the flood plain of the river, brought about a considerable loss of floodplain habitat and wetlands. Prut River management and rehabilitation of the crossborder wetlands can only be approached internationally.
