- 2.5 Major wetlands in the Danube River Basin District

Floodplain forests, marshlands, deltas, floodplain corridors, lakeshores and other wetlands are essential components in the Danube River Basin’s biodiversity and hydrology. The Danube River Basin extends into five of the eight Biogeographical Regions of Europe: the Alpine, the Continental, the Pannonic, the Steppic and the Black Sea Region. Each of these shows characteristic wetlands, some of them are protected, others not. Many of the larger wetland areas are transboundary in nature. The wetlands in the Alps and Carpathians also represent valuable drinking water reserves for millions of people. The current extent of wetlands in the DRB is only a remnant of the former wetland systems. The 13 most important wetland complexes in the Danube River Basin are described. (3.5 Major wetlands in the Danube River Basin District - p.32)