Stefan Dorondel sent us several snapshots taken during the fieldwork in Belene (Bulgaria), images of a Danube caught in a post-apocalyptic scenario. 50m from the shore the water is no deeper than 20cm.
The low waters (historical minimum depths) extend the surface of the islands and reveal the fact that the bottom of the river is no longer made up of sand and mud like 40-50 years ago, but of a thick bed of invasive clams, apparently from China. This fact changes the feeding habits of many fish species that used to feed on mollusks on the bottom or in the sand. It also leads to the decay of many fish species.
“Neama voda, neama riba”, as the Bulgarian fishermen say (“there is no water, there are no fish”). And the invasive species lead to even more changes in the Danube’s ecosystem.
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Stefan Dorondel ne-a trimis de pe terenul de la Belene (Bulgaria) imagini cu Dunarea surprinsa intr-o ipostaza postapocaliptica. La 50m de mal apa nu e mai adanca de 20cm.
Apele mici (cote minime istorice) prelungesc insulele si scot la iveala faptul ca fundul fluviului nu mai este constituit din nisip si mal ca acum 40-50 de ani, ci de un pat gros de scoici invasive, venite pare-se din China. Acest fapt schimba obiceiurile de hranire ale multor specii de pesti care se hraneau cu moluste aflate in malul de pe fund sau in nisip si duce la imputinarea multor specii de pesti.
“Neama voda, neama riba”, cum spun pescarii Bulgari (“nu e apa, nu sunt nici pesti”). Iar speciile invasive duc si mai mult la schimbari majore in ecosistemul dunarean.
State, Communities and Nature of the Lower Danube Islands: An Environmental History (1830-2020) 