Regelsbrunner Aue
Regelsbrunner Aue
Introduction
"The goal of the ‘Danube Restoration Project’ is to gradually restore hydrological connectivity and
ecological integrity between the river and its floodplain in a segment of the Austrian Danube. In order to test the effectiveness and success of this large-scale pilot project, a long-term evaluation program has been implemented, which includes abiotic, biotic and functional components. The biotic ‘functional describers’ include macrophytes, molluscs, odonates, amphibians, fish and benthic invertebrates. In the present analysis, the first four of these groups are focused upon, because sampling strategies for fish and benthic invertebrates are not compatible with the other groups."
(Tockner et al., 1999)[1]
"The study was conducted in the free-flowing section of the Danube River about 25 km downstream of
Vienna (river-km 1895 and 1909). The area designated for restoration is a 570-ha floodplain
sector on the right orographical bank of the Danube River (‘Regelsbrunner Aue’). At mean water level,
the channel network is 37 km long, corresponding to a floodplain channel density of 6.5 km km2 and
a total surface area of all floodplain water bodies of 120 ha. The backwater system
is dominated by a former river channel (total length, ca. 10 km) that was cut off from the main river
channel at its upstream end more than 100 years ago. This main side channel is subdivided by weirs into
semi-isolated water bodies (channel segments I–IX in Figure 1). At present, this side channel has surface
water connections to the river at its downstream end for about 180 days annually. Long stagnant periods
are interrupted by short-term flood pulses (average duration, B4 days) caused by upstream connections
at high water levels via former inflow areas in the streamside embankments. However, the floodplain
system is dynamically connected to the river via its porous aquifer (seepage inflow). Water levels in the
floodplain system follow the water level fluctuations of the Danube after only a short time lag."
(Tockner et al., 1999)[2]
References
- ↑ K, TOCKNER,F. SCHIEMER, C. BAUMGARTNER, G. KUM, E. WEIGAND, I. ZWEIMU, LLER AND J.V. WARD (1999). THE DANUBE RESTORATION PROJECT: SPECIES DIVERSITY PATTERNS ACROSS CONNECTIVITY GRADIENTS IN THE FLOODPLAIN SYSTEM. REGULATED RIVERS: RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT 15: 245–258.
- ↑ K, TOCKNER,F. SCHIEMER, C. BAUMGARTNER, G. KUM, E. WEIGAND, I. ZWEIMU, LLER AND J.V. WARD (1999). THE DANUBE RESTORATION PROJECT: SPECIES DIVERSITY PATTERNS ACROSS CONNECTIVITY GRADIENTS IN THE FLOODPLAIN SYSTEM. REGULATED RIVERS: RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT 15: 245–258.
