The Danube Delta: Geographical characteristics and ecological recovery

The Danube Delta is very large with diverse resources which have been intensively exploited during the modern period. It is now of great interest to conservationists with 280 species of birds (177 of which hatch in the delta). The origin of the delta is considered and its development is traced from the initial offshore bar, referring to the writings of the classical scholars and other sources. Modern developments involve the navigational work of the European Commission of the Danube (set up in 1856) and the more intensive exploitation of the reed beds, fisheries, agricultural lands and forests since 1950. Since the revolution of 1989 this programme has stopped and the delta (including the Razim-Sinoie lake complex) is now a Biosphere Reserve. The reserve is described and the principles for management are discussed.