Over two centuries of dam construction, river regulation, and intensive land use have profoundly transformed the Danube’s floodplains. Natural flooding cycles were disrupted, side channels were cut off, and large wetland areas were fragmented. As a result, stagnant waters increased and many plant and animal species dependent on dynamic river processes declined.
The LIFE Danube Floodplains project set out to reverse these trends by restoring natural water regimes and promoting sustainable land management.
Through targeted interventions, the project improved water distribution, strengthened floodplain forests, protected remaining open habitats, and raised public awareness, informing national water policies and providing a practical model for sustainable floodplain restoration across the region.
