Ábrahám Levente: Biomonitoring a Dráva folyó magyarországi szakasza mentén 2000-2004 - Natura Somogyiensis 7. (Kaposvár, 2005)

Závodszky, Szabolcs: Hydroelectricity or national park? - Vízerőmű vagy nemzeti park?

ZÁVOCZKY Sz.: HYDROELECTRICITY OR NATIONAL PARK? 7 A nature monitoring system has been operated in Hungary since 1999 in the presumed effect zone. By looking at various groups of living organisms (16 groups), the monitoring has provided a wide view on natural values of Duna-Drava National Park, and information about changes of wildlife here. Natural values in the area are well reflected by data shown in Table 1. Table 1.: Protected and strictly protected animal species listed in international nature conservation agreements ratified by Hungary and in the Habitat and Bird Directives of the EU Natura 2000, living in the Hungarian effect zone of the planned Novo Virje hydroelectric plant Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of protected strictly species listed species listed species listed species species protected in annexes to by the Bern by the Bonn listed in species Natura 2000 directives Convention Convention CITES 262 36 134 232 97 29 Effects expected above the planned interventions The westernmost areas of Duna-Drava National Park are in its Western-Drava Region, at villages Zákány and Őrtilos. Here the Drava is characterized with gravel shoals, partly without vegetation, and partly covered by purple willow bush associations (Salicetum purpurae). These are the shoals where considerable populations of the germán tamarisk (Myricaria germanica), found only here in Hungary, were discovered. Regarding its habitat requirements and population size, the germán tamarisk is very sensitive to damming, because as a member of pioneer plant associations on gravel shoals, its habitats can be significantly influenced by changes affecting water levels and sediment carriage. The silty banks of the narrow flood area are covered by almond-leaved willow bush associations (Salicaetum triandre). Gallery forest habitats that are under considerable inundation and ground water influence, can radically change in case the river is dammed up. The river being quite fast-flowing and carrying gravel, is the only habitat for several reophilous fish species. Effects expected below the planned interventions Part of the Eastern Drava Region of Duna-Drava National Park is located below the planned power plant. Here, too, the Drava builds gravel shoals. At some places today's main riverbed runs along the very foot of the Inner-Somogy high bank, at other places it turns away from it, creating a cca. 1000 m wide floodland with dead arms of considerable extent. Oxbows and dead branches are typical in the section below Vízvár. Between the villages Vízvár and Bélavár there are several abandoned gravel pit lakes that have already regenerated and become significant wetland habitats. Natural vegetation in the low floodland areas near Vízvár is made up by willow gallery forests (Leucojo aestivi Salicetum albae). In the willow woods along the river protected plant species are found