Danube Delta

The way of Danube is 2850 kms long. The river flows throughout nine states (countries), and its way is definitely finished inside soft Black Sea delta. Danube delta is spreaded in north-east of Romania, at the border with Ucraine. It is placed from the town of Tulcea up to 80 kms distant coast, and its total extention makes 4500 square kilometres. So, 280 square kilometres of this unique countryside is protected as National Park, which is registered in UNESCO Heritage Survey. Not far from the town of Tulcea, Danube-river is divided into three branches. In the north, Chilia-Veche, boarder river, is diversing, and near to the community of Periplava, the river is dividing again, and so, its own delta is created. Sulina branch (it is partially regulated branch) is crossing the middle, streaming directly to the sea. This is main route for navies, which takes their passengers as well as the loads against the stream of the river in direction to Austria or Germany.

On the other hand, Sfintu-Gheorghe flow is winding in numerous meandres, and after 112 kms of flow, the river reaches town of the same name, where it surges into Black Sea. Danube delta belongs to the greatest wet areas of Europe, and it is a countryside which is changing all the time. The mainland and the water struggle unceasingly, and so, new islands, rivers, ponds or swamps are established all the time. Countryside character is changing continuously each year. All three river-branches are drifting off enormous quantity of mud (swamp), which is putting at sea-estuary. So, the delta increases in 30 square metres each year. Most of water and mud flows through Chilia-branch, through Sulina-river flows 20% of this mass only. Inside a space among these three delta-branches, there are spreading immense quantity (number) of small and great lakes, which are partially covered with reeds and water-lillies. You can find there a lot of canals and impenetrable marshes. On delta territory (extention of 1700 square kilometres) only the reeds are growing. Maybe, it could be probably the greatest consistent biotop of its kind in the Earth.

Root system of reeds is placed at the beginning of establishment of remarkable, and for delta typical, vegetace form, so called plaura. Great number of septic gases is creating in muddy base. These gases explode from time to time, tearing to pieces the underwood of reets´ roots, so that big pieces are floated up the water level, and so, they become as floating islands. Anyway, later, quite peculiar vegetable communities are created, and even the trees found their position there. On the other hand, plaur remains moored at the bottom, or it is flowing through water flows, and makes a barrier. Extended reed surfaces cover that delta is in fact very diverse and rich biotop, regarding the sorts, where numerous swamp and water plants are growing, such as water-lillies. You can find there carnivorous plants. Om mainland belts and alluvial sections, mostly steppe forms of plants are growing, and even the forests found its position there. Extended forest area is spreaded even at the community of Padura Letey. Here, a unique biotop could be found, where the man did nit penetrated till now. Among oaks, willow-trees, elms and linden-trees, the lianas are creeping, and Mediterranean subtropical plants, such as tamarisks or hawthorns, are to be found there. On the other hand, this immense labyrinth of pools, rivers, canals and swamps, great number of birds is drawing. In local amphibious world, there are living 300 various sorts at least, and 180 sorts of them give birth to their youngs. Approx. 2500 pairs of small cormorants found rescue place there, and even crowds of pink and curly-headed pelicans are nesting there. If they are not looking for their food in soft waters, they are soaring in the sky. The floating islands and reeds´ belts are popular among call-birds. you can meet here ash call-birds, white-silver, red, long-hared-call birds. On wide water surface, great swans, great gooses, green-leg hens are swimming, and sea eagles are flying high above delta waters.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Picasaweb.com