Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (D.D.B.R.): reed dynamics within actual context

The reed beds are widely considered in Europe as ecologically and economically beneficialareas. In The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (D.D.B.R.), reed is by far the dominant species and reedmarshes cover more than 220,000 ha (Hanganu et al 2002). Presently, certain areas of reed beds areselected for burning or harvesting during the winter by private companies. Other surfaces are harvestedin green, mown by the inhabitants as cattle food. Comparing the present period with the harvestcampaigns from the ‘60th until the ‘80th, we can say that the actual pressure on reed’s biodiversity isreduced. All above aspects of management practices and their influence on reed beds succession andconservation of biodiversity are discussed. Beside the current reed type description and comparison withbiometrical data from Chifu et al (1993), we present their distribution, in relation with type of substrateand hydrology, by reed complexes.