ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR WETLANDS AND FLOODPLAIN AREAS IN THE CENTRAL PART OF DANUBE RIVER BASIN

摘要

Wetlands are the link between the land and the water. They are transition zones where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients, and the energy of the Sun meet to produce a unique ecosystem characterized by hydrology, soil, and vegetation. Moreover the wetlands provide habitat for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. Migrating birds use wetlands to rest and feed as well as their nesting areas. Therefore wetland loss has a serious impact on these species. The floodplains and wetlands of the Danube basin are uniquely valuable ecosystems, although few areas are still in their natural state. Over the last two centuries in particular, most of the larger floodplain areas have disappeared and they cannot help to even out flood peaks and reduce flood damage by storing surplus water. In addition, a heavy anthropogenic pressure is applied to the Danube river basin: large towns, river navigation, electric power plans, industries are located there and different economic interests of about 17 countries are present. Taking into account the central part of the Danube river basin and the few previous studies carried out in this area, this work evaluate the feasibility to deep involve advanced remote sensing techniques to improve monitoring, understanding and evaluation of the ecosystems involved.