Restoration of Karagol Bay, Ukraine

The Dnester delta wetlands represent a significant part of the coastal wetland system the North-West Black Sea coast. The Dnester delta is a Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area: it is a major stop-over for migratory birds. The migration route is protected under the Bonn convention and the Afro-Eurasian agreement on Migratory Birds. The main aim of the project is biodiversity conservation and restoration of the natural processes and systems of Karagol bay in the Dnester delta. Karagol bay is situated nearby the Dnester Delta National Park which is now under establishment. Main threats for biodiversity in the region include fisheries, intensification of agriculture, recreation, (illegal) construction of dams and irrigation, hunting, unsustainable exploitation, burning vegetation (reeds), development projects etc. These threats cause biodiversity decline, changes in hydrological regimen (including drying up of the area), disappearing of reedbeds, and decline in water quality. Areas of open waters are drying up, the spawning sites abandoned as a result of failed water exchange. It is essentially to reinstate stands of rushes; these activity should be carried out through the short–term flooding. It is essential to conserve this area as a buffer zone within the future Park, protect its biodiversity, and create conditions for sustainable use of its resources, as well as build public understanding of the area’s ecological importance. The main objectives of the conservation project are as follows: 1)Contribution to protection of the area, ecologically sound management of the area; 2) Improvement of habitats for the species, particularly through the carrying out bioengineering and hydrotechnical activities, restoration of reedbeds; 3) Establishing monitoring system of the area, conducting biodiversity inventory; and 4) Ecological education of local population and public participation in decision making on regional environmental problems. The project, submitted to EAF by Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds (USPB) proposes nature oriented management of the area through long-term lease of the land, subsequent conservation measures and wetlands restoration. It complements the already approved EAF project on Restoration of Karagol bay, which is implemented by the OSEU (Ukrainian Socio-Ecological Union).The project of OSEU is for lease of 300ha for 20 years. The SPN grant will increase the area leased up to 600 ha and then the period of lease will be 30 years. Besides the sustainability of the project will be increased through the cooperation between the two organisations.