EAF Projects HungaryThe river Drava

Aims of the project
To purchase additional, threatened areas for the Danube-Drava National Park. To prevent uncontrolled human damage to existing, important river basin habitats and breeding areas.

Location
The project took place on the Hungarian side of the northern branch of the river Drava, bordering Croatia, in Somogy County.

Natural values
The Drava river is one of the most diverse river ecosystems in Europe and the Danube-Drava National Park covers 21,000 ha. There are several ox-bow lakes, and many important marsheswtlands and wet meadows along the river. There are important meadow and pasture biotypes along the river banks. Softwood floodplain forests hold rare orchids and protected amphibians (Rana arvalis).

The river is an important corridor for at least 50 species of fish, several bird species e.g. black stork and white-tailed eagle, and otters. It is the only breeding place for the little tern (Sterna albifrons) in Hungary and Croatia and along the Danube and its tributaries.

Threats
The area is threatened by a dam project in Croatia and by recreation, exploitation of the forests and erosion of the river bed.

Conservation status
The areas purchased will be protected under the current National Park. The project is part of an international plan to create a transboundary Biosphere reserve with a network of sites in Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.

Planning and budget
Purchase of the marshland was significant since it could have been sold to organisations not interested in conservation or sustainable wise use. The areas bought were added to the National Park.

The whole project is part of an international plan to create a trans-boundary Biosphere reserve comprising a network of 17 Important Bird Areas and 2 Ramsar sites in Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia and Austria.

The project began in 1997 and has now been completed. The work cost € 62400.

Project co-ordination
The project was implemented by the SOMOGY Natural Heritage Fund in co-operation with the Danube Drava National Park.