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WWF Adria
German tamarisk

Conservation of German tamarisk

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At the end of April, we sent several plants of German tamarisks to the Botanical Garden in Klagenfurt so they could further develop. We hope we will be able to plant them one day in the natural habitats on the Drava River in Croatia, together with new plants.

Botanical Garden, Klagenfurt

Also, to determine the actual origin of German tamarisks that can be found near the Drava River, with the help of our colleague Dragica Purger, we extracted genetic material of German tamarisk from the gravel pit and drainage channel near HPP Dubrava. We can’t wait for the results and to finally have scientific evidence about the origin of the plants.

 

JUZDPVZ
Struga

DRAVA LIFE info-points set up in Varaždin County

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Within the project DRAVA LIFE, six info-points in five local government units have been set up in the following locations: municipality Cestica (Veliki Lovrečan), municipality Sračinec (Svibovec Podravski), Varaždin city (location along the Drava park-forest), municipality Trnovec Bartolovečki (Zamlaka settlement) and municipality Sveti Đurđ (Hrženica and Struga).

Placed near the existing/planned cycling trail „Mura-Drava Bike“, info-points are designed as resting points (covered seating area) with informational and educational content intended for local inhabitants, visitors and cyclists. The roof of the info-points refers to the local micro-architecture along the Drava river and at the same time defines the place of rest and presentation of the informative and educational content. Also, the height of the roof cornice enables a framed view from the bench to the surrounding area.

Text, photographs and maps on the info-points present natural assets and protection of the area along the river Drava, the importance of conservation of the river habitats, as well as plant and animal species that are important for that area. Furthermore, visitors are provided with instructions on how they can influence river conservation, along with basic information about the DRAVA LIFE project.

Every info-point is thematic and contains an additional set of information depending on the specific habitats/species that can be found in the immediate vicinity (for example, the first info-point next to the fishing lodge additionally presents the fish fauna, the second one presents gravel bars located in the immediate vicinity). We believe that info-points will become a favourite gathering place of the local population and visitors of the Regional park, contribute to raising awareness of the importance of the area and ultimately result in better conservation of habitats and species.

Drava - Donja Dubrava - Legrad
C3_Donja Dubrava-Legrad (2)

Natura 2000 Day

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We mark Natura 2000 Day on the 21st of May since 1992 when both the EU Habitats Directive and LIFE programme were approved. Today Natura 2000 consists of more than 27 800 sites on land and sea across EU successfully contributing to the preservation of our unique natural heritage.

This year, we are putting the spotlight on the proximity of Natura 2000 sites to people and on the benefits that nature brings to people and the planet, including those related to health. The Natura 2000 network with its vast coverage brings nature literally to our doorstep. Nature is not a luxury but our vital ally and we need to value, protect and restore it.

We are proud that our whole project area is proclaimed as Natura 2000 and we invite you to go to the Drava River and celebrate this day by cherishing our unique nature.

Libanovec ploča
Libanovec

Avoid disturbance: Sand martin colony nearby

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Libanovec – In order to contribute to the protection of the colony of sand martins at Libanovac and increase the safety of all visitors, who walk along the steep bank, the DRAVA LIFE team has set up a warning sign.

The sign is placed next to the information board about sand martin, where all nature enthusiasts can find more information about the importance of the sand martins, their colony and the DRAVA LIFE project. Štefica Sirutka, mayor of Đelekovec, an important partner in the conservation of this colony and the protection of the Drava River, attended the installation of the warning sign.

little terns

Help the little terns

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Dear lovers of nature and the Drava River,

Ambassador of the Drava, the little tern, needs your help to make her stay at the bars of our river comfortable and, above all, safe. Each year in the spring little terns return from Africa, where they spend their winter, and then stay, during spring and summer on isolated gravel and sand bars where they bring young one into the world, ensuring the survival of their species.

All this has changed over the last few decades, mostly because of human activities on the rivers that decimated suitable nesting spots. Today only four pairs of little terns are present on the Mura and Drava in Croatia and Hungary. Construction of hydropower plants, river regulation, and sediment extraction are just some of the reasons that have led to a loss of gravel and sand bars, which are the main habitat of the Drava’s ambassador.

Small sections of the Drava River which still preserve some breeding places on rare gravel and sand bars are home to little terns. In shallow water zones, bays and oxbows little terns can find enough fish to feed themselves and their little ones.

To help them please do not step on the gravel and sand bars particularly during the birds’ breeding season between Mid-April and the end of July! This will help increase the population and make sure little terns become again frequent neighbours on the Drava River!

Prijatelj čigri

BE A FRIEND OF LITTLE TERNS!

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Dear lovers of nature and the Drava River,

Ambassador of the Drava, the little tern, needs your help to make her stay at the bars of our river comfortable and, above all, safe. Each year in the spring little terns return from Africa, where they spend their winter, and then stay, during spring and summer on isolated gravel and sand bars where they bring young one into the world, ensuring the survival of their species.

All this has changed over the last few decades, mostly because of human activities on the rivers that decimated suitable nesting spots. Today only four pairs of little terns are present on the Mura and Drava in Croatia and Hungary. Construction of hydropower plants, river regulation, and sediment extraction are just some of the reasons that have led to a loss of gravel and sand bars, which are the main habitat of the Drava’s ambassador.

Small sections of the Drava River which still preserve some breeding places on rare gravel and sand bars are home to little terns. In shallow water zones, bays and oxbows little terns can find enough fish to feed themselves and their little ones.

To help them please do not step on the gravel and sand bars particularly during the birds’ breeding season between Mid-April and the end of July! This will help increase the population and make sure little terns become again frequent neighbours on the Drava River!

And the first batch of the dwarf cattail is ready! I prve sadnice su u zemlji! © A.Kuzmanić

World Water Day Marked by the Reintroduction of Dwarf Cattail on the Drava River

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LEGRAD – This year’s reintroduction of the dwarf cattail (Typha minima) was held on World Water Day (March 22nd) on several locations along the Drava River. Our expert associate Dragica Purger, PhD, mentioned that the Drava still displays characteristics of a natural, unregulated river.

However, Purger warned that human activity on the river, primarily the construction of hydroelectric power plants, excessive gravel and sand removal, and the construction of regulatory infrastructure, has resulted in major changes in hydromorphological dynamic processes and the ecological condition of the Drava River.

Purger notes that important indicators of negative changes include the disappearance of specific river habitats, gravel and sand banks, as well as the disappearance of key species that depend on these habitats. One of them is the dwarf cattail (Typha minima), which disappeared from the Croatian part of the Drava river in the last three decades. “The reintroduction of dwarf cattail in its natural habitat on the Drava River, implemented within the scope of the DRAVA LIFE project, has a practical and symbolic significance,” Purger said.

©WWF

©WWF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwarf cattail disappeared from this area more than 20 years ago. To be more precise, it was last recorded on gravel bars near Varaždin in 1994. Both the German tamarisk (Myricaria germanica) and the dwarf cattail (Typha minima) are pioneer species that grow on habitats such as sandbanks and river banks in freshwater ecosystems.

“Given that last year’s reintroduction of dwarf cattail was not completely successful due to extremely high water levels, we decided to reintroduce this extinct river plant once again, this time under the guidance of our expert associate Dragica Purger, PhD. We hope that we will have more luck this year and that the plants will grow well”, explained Branka Španiček from WWF Adria. Španiček added that the ultimate success of reintroduction and repopulation can only be ascertained once the seedlings are fully adapted to the new habitat and once they begin to reproduce.

©WWF

©WWF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Successful reintroduction of this plant species will increase the biodiversity and improve the ecological function of river ecosystems, although the permanent establishment of these populations will depend on the implementation of river revitalization measures. It will also be an indicator of improving river conditions and increasing natural value of the Drava River”, concluded Purger. This year’s reintroduction wouldn’t be possible without help of DRAVA LIFE partners and associates from the Drava Federation (Hungary).

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