Ecology

The ecological situation of the Danube within the urban area is to be improved, simultaneously creating suitable habitats for flora and fauna. Another key project goal is to develop recommendations for „sustainable bed load management“ to ensure a habitat for gravel-spawning fish in this section of the Danube.
The riverbank is to be flattened, creating a valuable spawning habitat for native fish species such as the Danube salmon (Huchen) and the common nose (Nase), as well as transition zones for specialized floodplain inhabitants.
Initially, monitoring is required for this purpose. The Fisheries Association is conducting this for sub-surface organisms, while the Institute for Floodplain Ecology is monitoring „on land“ in the new floodplains to be created along the project area.

Monitoring

Monitoring of Macrozoobenthos Mapping and coordination of macrozoobenthos

Vegetation Monitoring Permanent observation plots Mapping of floodplain-specific vegetation Neophytic vegetation (invasive species) Siltation communities

Gravel Spawning Grounds

Gravel spawning grounds are essential for the diversity of fish in the Danube. Certain fish species, such as the Danube salmon (Huchen), barbel, or common nose (Nase), lay their eggs exclusively in or on the gravel. If such spawning grounds are unavailable, these fish species will not occur.
The Bavarian State Fisheries Association (Landesfischereiverband Bayern e.V.) has published an extremely interesting brochure on this topic.

Development of Floodplain Habitats

Dynamik

Flache Uferbereiche: Es sollen möglichst flache Uferzonen geschaffen werden, damit bereits bei geringen Pegelschwankungen eine natürliche Dynamik (Wechsel zwischen Überflutung und Trockenfallen) entsteht.
Diversifizierte Höhenstrukturen: Durch unterschiedliche Geländehöhen werden vielfältige Lebensräume und Strömungsmuster ermöglicht.

Lebensräume

Auenhabitate: Schaffung von typischen Übergangszonen zwischen Wasser und Land, die als Rückzugsraum für spezialisierte Pflanzen- und Tierarten dienen.
Strömungsgeschützte Bereiche: Einrichtung von Zonen mit geringer Fließgeschwindigkeit, die besonders für Jungfische und Wasserorganismen als Schutzraum wichtig sind.

Übertragbarkeit
Ein wesentliches Ziel des Projekts ist es, die langfristigen Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen aus Donauwörth auf andere Städte übertragbar zu machen. Das Pilotprojekt dient somit als Vorbild für zukünftige Revitalisierungen von Flüssen im urbanen Raum.

Water: As Dynamic as Possible!
Water is the engine of the floodplain. To create a functioning ecosystem, the river must be able to „breathe“:

High Water (Flooding): Ideally, smaller flood events should occur annually to inundate the floodplain and distribute nutrients and sediments.
Low Water: Periods of low water levels should ideally last at least 4 to 6 weeks per year. This timeframe is crucial for pioneer plants to establish themselves on the exposed mud and gravel surfaces.

Processes and Consequences
Targeted water management and bank design trigger natural processes that keep the water body healthy:

Sediment Transport: The removal of fine material is essential. It prevents siltation and colmation (the clogging of the interstitial spaces within the gravel bed).
Gravel Accumulation: Heavier material, such as gravel, is deposited in specific areas. This leads to the formation of new gravel bars and a loose riverbed.
Habitat for Gravel Spawners: These clean gravel structures serve as vital habitats for specialized fish species that deposit their eggs within the gaps of the gravel bed.

Scientific Monitoring

Management of gravel spawning grounds
Assessment of efficiency
Evaluation of measure impact via electrofishing

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