The Danube Delta: Home to a Plethora of Life

by Nuchee Vang, age 13

The Danube Delta, a vast area of waterways, marshes, and lakes, has suffered extensive damage due to pollution. The root of this pollution is agricultural run-off, which has led to the decline of native species.

The Danube River is the second longest river in Europe, after the Volga. Expanding from the Black Forest in Germany to Romania, it is 1,761 miles long. The delta itself covers 2,317 square miles of the Black Sea.

Over half of Romania's fresh water fish as well as carp and caviar-yielding sturgeon come from the Danube Delta. This delta is home to more than 300 different types of birds. About 180 bird species breed in this region, and many more migrate here.

There are four kinds of birds in particular that depend on this area. One is pygmy cormorant, of which there are only about 12,000 pairs left in the wild. Another is the red breasted goose. Sometimes during the winter, the entire population of this species will migrate to the delta. This region is also home to 150 pairs of the rare Dalmatian pelican, a species that only has 1,500 members. Furthermore, the delta houses many white pelicans.

With 23 identified ecosystems, the Danube Delta is clearly an essential space for many creatures.

[Source: 100 Great Wonders of the World ]









This is very good work, Nuchee. Great job!! – James Kramer , Middleton, WI (2014-09-18 21:29)
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