1. Danube Strategy Andreas Beckmann, Director WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme, abeckmann@wwfdcp.org

2. Blue Danube

3. TEN-T extension 2004: Eliminating navigation bottlenecks

4. Ecologically outstanding stretches

5. Conflict: TEN-T navigation versus nature Bavaria: Navigation lobby wants two dams to reach 2.50 meters draught. Wachau: The reconstruction of the Danube would increase floodings. National Park: Trendsetter? First one to break the recommendation of Danube commission? Hungary: Canalization would affect islands and the Ipoly National park. Danube-delta: The new navigation canal is being built through the core zone of the biosphere reserve. Danube Islands Bulgaria/Rumania: A 500 km near-natural section with hundreds of islands is threatened by regulation plans. Hungary/Croatia/Serbia-Montenegro: A regulation project will threaten the second most important floodplain area on the Danube, the Kopacki Rit

6. Impacts of ecosystem functions 3/4 Biodiversity Loss due to: Habitat destruction Habitat fragmentation: Disconnection of side-arms, fragmentation of river-continuum Example Upper Danube: 58 impounded stretches Source: WWF-A

7. Danube and Navigation: Natural- born enemies? River parameters Nature Demand Navigation Demand hydro- morphology erosion- sedimentation uniform water levelhigh - lowstable water depthdeep - shallowhomogeneous water flowfast - slowconstant Dynamics vs. Stability

8. Status quo: Inland navigation Old fleet (mostly 20-40 years old): High emission rates (NOx, ultra-fine particles,...) Waste water problems, water pollution (e.g. oil) Wave wash Old strategy based on: Dredging and deepening of the river channel Regulation and channelling Damming