Over the past century and a half, Europe has lost more than 80% of the Danube’s natural floodplains and wetlands, according to WWF-Ukraine. This river and its delta are one of the continent’s most unique ecosystems, home to approximately 2,000 plant species and more than 5,000 animal species. Among them are rare sturgeons, which survived the dinosaurs but are now on the verge of extinction.
The ecological state of the Danube basin is affected by pollution from sewage and chemicals, hydromorphological changes, the effects of climate change, plastic pollution, the spread of alien species and the consequences of military action. This has led to a sharp decline in biodiversity and the loss of the ability of wetlands to perform their natural functions.
The Danube floodplains play a key role in protecting against floods and droughts, but their degradation makes the region more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
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