Contact: Luminita Holban, Director, EcoTransilvania Tel Photo: Alin David

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1 BAZINUL FIZESULUI TRANSYLVANIIA S IINLAND DELTA Contact: Luminita Holban, Director, EcoTransilvania Tel luminita.holban@gmail.com Photo: Alin David

2 GEOGRAPHIIC LOCATIION X MANAGEMENT On the 29th of March 2011, two Romanian non-profit organisations - EcoTransilvania and Ecochoice - took over the management of Bazinul Fizesului through a five-year custody contract signed with the Ministry of Environment. Bazinul Fizesului is an area of around 460 sqkm in the Transylvanian Plains (northwestern Romania) comprising 17 wetlands along the valley of the river Fizes and its tributaries. Located 50 km north of the city of Cluj- Napoca, this extensive network of lakes spreads across five local communes (Fizeşu Gherlii, Sic, Ţaga, Geaca and Cătina) with 22 villages and around 11,500 inhabitants. Due to its vast expanses of reeds and bulrushes, the area has become known as Transylvania s Inland Delta. Photo: Dan Ispas Established in 2003, EcoTransilvania focuses on the conservation of biological and cultural diversity, and on increasing knowledge and awareness among local communities with regard to the natural world. Ecochoice has extensive experience in the research and conservation of small mammals as well as the establishment and management of protected areas. With 12 active members and volunteers, including four doctors in biology and three PhD students, the two associations are responsible for: - preserving the area's rich biodiversity; - creating a long-term conservation plan; - expanding scientific and practical knowledge; - raising awareness among locals and visitors about the importance of preserving the environment; - helping the sustainable development of local communities.

3 NATURE VALUE Bazinul Fizesului is one of Eastern Europe s most important inland wetlands, with over 28% of the entire continent's breeding avifauna (146 species) present here, as well as 670 species of plants representing over 20% of Romania's flora. The area is also home to many species of amphibians, insects and bats. Some highly protected bird species include the Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), the Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), the Ferruginous Duck (Aythia nyroca), the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and the Corncrake (Crex crex). The 37km long valley of the Fizes retains the last vestiges of the old Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes (priority European habitat 1530*) in the Transylvanian Plains. It also contains the second largest compact reed area in Romania after the Danube Delta (around 260 ha), and the largest mixed colony of night and grey herons in Transylvania (over 270 breeding pairs). Because of its importance for biodiversity, Bazinul Fizesului was designated a Natura 2000 Special Protection Area under the EU's Birds Directive and a Site of Community Interest under the Habitats Directive. Right: Little Bittern chicks hiding among reeds Photo: Alin David

4 THE REEDBEDS OF SIIC A nature reserve since 1974, with a total area of 505ha, the Reedbeds of Sic contain the second largest compact reed and bulrush area in Romania after the Danube Delta (260 ha). The reeds provide ideal breeding habitat for many protected birds such as Botaurus stellaris, Ixobrychus minutus, Porzana porzana, Circus aeruginosus, Panurus biarmicus and warblers (Locustella and Acrocephalus species). Photo: Alexandru Stermin Alongside reeds and bulrushes, the reserve includes Steppic grasslands and Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes (priority European habitat 1530*) A wooden walkway and three observation platforms were built in 2004 but they have not been maintained since, and require extensive repairs to provide a safe experience to researchers and visitors alike. Top photo: Observation platforms among the reeds of Sic. Bottom: Bittern chicks. Photo: Alin David

5 PIIKE LAKE With a total area of 140ha, this nature reserve was designated in 1966 to protect the rich biodiversity of the deepest natural fresh water lake in Transylvania. It is also the only wetland in Romania outside the Danube Delta where floating reed islets are formed. Fed by four streams, the lake was formed on a salt deposit and thus must have been originally salty, but a thick layer of sediment has now separated the water from the underlying salt. Photo: Luminita Holban With a maximum depth of almost 10 m, Pike Lake has also become a national fishing attraction. The observation platform was also built in 2004 and needs extensive repairs. Top photo: The observation platform at Pike Lake needs urgent repairs. Bottom: The wooden boats of local fishermen. Photo: Alin David

6 CIIUASULUII FOREST This 15ha oak and hornbeam forest accommodates the largest mixed colony of Black-crowned Night-herons (Nycticorax nyctricorax) and Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) in Transylvania. The herons settled here in 1997 and since then the colony has grown to around 270 breeding pairs, but their future is yet uncertain because they face a series of natural and human threats: - located only in the higher trees, nests are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, - disturbance from local people (particularly children) causes some birds to abandon their nests, - juveniles fall from nests as a result of both storms and disturbance, - host trees can be weakened by toxic heron dejections. EcoTransilvania and Ecochoice are currently developing a number of conservation and community projects to address these issues. Top photo: Mixed heron colony. Bottom: Juveniles of grey heron (left) and night heron (right) fallen from nests. Photos: Alin David

7 LEGIIIILOR VALLEY When first designated as a nature reserve in 1966, this formerly extensive wetland covered 300ha (of which compact reeds represented over 40ha) and accommodated two highly protected bird species: the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) and the Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia). Unfortunately the wetland was gradually reduced by draining land for agriculture, so that the water area is now less than 2ha and its depth does not exceed 50cm. 1. Much larger wetlands in Present-day lakes As a result the Spoonbill and the Purple Heron have stopped breeding here. Investigating the feasibility of restoring this valuable habitat to a good conservation status will be one of the management priorities of the new custodians, EcoTransilvania and Ecochoice. Top: Comparative map of the past and present extent of wetlands in the Fizes area. Bottom: The disappearing Legiilor lake. Aerial photo: Eliana Sevianu

8 LOCAL COMMUNIITIIES Located close to the beautiful Banffy Castle at Bontida, the Fizes valley is also an important cultural and historic area, with its mixed Hungarian, Romanian and Saxon heritage. Around 11,500 people live in the 22 villages located in or near the protected areas, and their main source of income is small-scale farming, with a few people employed in the nearby town of Gherla and the city of Cluj- Napoca. One interesting local business is the cheese production unit at Nasal, which uses a unique bacterial culture from a local cave. As custodians, EcoTransilvania and Ecochoice strive to help the local communities achieve their potential and develop sustainable economic activities such as eco-tourism (particularly bird-watching), organic farming and traditional crafts (such as thatching). Top photo: traditional Transylvanian buffalo are still kept in local villages. Bottom: the skill of thatched roofs could be revived to generate income. Photos: Luminita Holban

9 PROBLEMS Before the area became part of the NATURA 2000 European ecological network, the lack of active conservation and management, humaninduced damage, as well as hydro-engineering and drainage works, had caused habitat degradation leading to a decrease in bird populations and even the disappearance of some key species. Now, under the management of EcoTransilvania and Ecochoice, these problems will be addressed through comprehensive, long-term planning and concrete conservation activities. 1.. One of the most serious and urgent threats is the illegal burning of dry reeds, usually in spring during the birds' breeding season, which can compromise entire broods of highly protected birds such as Great and Little Bitterns, Spotted Crakes and Marsh Harriers. This happens because local people are not aware of the importance of reeds and the devastating effects of their actions. In spring 2011 the problem reached an unprecedented level: at least 115 ha were burned, representing over 26% of the total reed surface. The custodians have alerted the authorities and launched an international appeal to raise funds for immediate damage limitation and long-term education activities. Photos: Alin David

10 2.. Wetland habitat degradation and loss has already resulted in the disappearance of two iconic bird species from the area (the Spoonbill and the Purple Heron). The populations of other species are decreasing. The main causes of this problem are hydroengineering and drainage works, and land erosion caused by deforestation (resulting in the silting of lakes and streams). To assess the extent of this problem and produce an effective, long-term management plan in partnership with local stakeholders, the custodians have developed a three-year project with the following specific objectives: - to develop a detailed GIS database of the distribution and population levels of priority species, - to evaluate the conservation status and threats of priority species and habitats, - to produce an integrated, sustainable management plan, - to reduce human pressures on biodiversity by increasing public awareness and involving children and schools in ecological activities. The biodiversity data collected during the project will be used to support an application to designate the area as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Photo: Luminita Holban 3.. Among local communities there is a low level of understanding and appreciation of biodiversity and its positive contribution to the wellbeing and prosperity of their members. This is the root cause of many other problems, including reed burning, heron colony disturbance, pollution and waste, as well of the widespread negative perception of Natura 2000 by many local inhabitants. EcoTransilvania and Ecochoice are working to develop a comprehensive community engagement programme with multiple strands - from formal and information educational activities with local schools, to better signage, the distribution of information materials and the organisation of community events (such as an annual Reed Festival). One of our key concerns is to help local people take advantage of the economic opportunities offered by Natura 2000, through increased employment, the revival of traditional skills, organic farming and eco-tourism.

11 ACTIION PLAN To address these problems, EcoTransilvania and Ecochoice have identified four main areas of intervention for which detailed projects will be developed and submitted to potential donors: 1. Research and monitoring to develop an up-to-date, detailed GIS database of the distribution, population fluctuations, threats and conservation status of priority species and habitats. 2. Concrete conservation measures targeting priority species and habitats (ex. habitat restoration for Purple Heron, nesting boxes for Red-Footed Falcon etc.) 3. Community engagement, education and development programme with different target groups (children & schools, local farmers, fishermen, craftsmen, local authorities etc.) 4. Development of wetland centre, visitor services and repair of infrastructure (with a special focus on bird watching). Top photo: existing information point at Sic needs furnishing and utilities. Bottom: Field research and monitoring are essential for the conservation of priority species. Photos: Alexandru Stermin & Alin David