Site: Moravské luhy (Morava floodplains)

Designation date: 26-05-1993

Coordinates: 48°31'N 016°54'E

Elevation: 134 m - 155 m

Area: 5,380 ha

Location: A section of the Morava river between its confluence with the Danube and the village of Brodské, in Bratislava and Trnava county, western Slovak Republic. The Morava forms the border with Austria and with the Czech Republic.

Criteria: 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6

Importance: The site includes the most important parts of the floodplain of the Morava river. It is a good and representative example of the natural and near-natural wetlands related to riverine ecosystems in Central Europe, considered rare and unusual in this area nowadays. 18 globally threatened and IUCN red-listed fauna species occur, e.g. the fishes Cyprinus carpio, Eudontomyzon mariae, Gobio kessleri, Gymnocephalus schraetzer and Zingel zingel, the newt Triturus cristatus, the crake Crex crex, the otter Lutra lutra and the beaver Castor fiber. Single plant species are nationally and internationally threatened (e.g. Achillea aspleniifolia, Lathyrus pannonicus, Plantago altissima, Lindernia procumbens, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Allium angulosum, Gentiana pneumonanthe, Gratiola officinalis and Ophioglossum vulgatum), as well as plant communities (e.g. Cnidion venosi, Alopecurion pratensis, Molinion coerulae, Hydrocharition, Magnopotamion, Bidention tripartiti, Salicion albae and Ulmenion minoris). It is a unique centre of biodiversity, with 600 species of cyanophytes and algae, 800 of vascular plants, 200 species of spiders, 300 of beetles, 25 of dragonflies, 100 of molluscs, 50 of fish, 14 of amphibia, 256 of birds and 43 of mammals. Subendemic and/or typical species of the biogeographical region occur, e.g. Lathyrus pannonicus and Fraxinus angustifolia ssp. danubialis etc. The site is an important habitat for migratory bird species and a wintering ground for waterfowl, as well as a spawning ground and nursery for many native fish species (recorded reproduction of 28 species, e.g. Cyprinus carpio and Eudontomyzon mariae).

Wetland Types: Ts ,Tp ,P ,O ,N ,M (dominant types shown in bold)

The site, the most important section of the river's floodplain, includes tributary channels, oxbow lakes, sand and gravel banks, abandoned sand and gravel pits, reedbeds, freshwater marshes, seasonal pools, wet meadows, pastures, as well as seasonally inundated forests (incl. plantations).

Biological/Ecological notes: Grassland communities (e.g. Cnidion venosi, Magnocaricion elatae) and forest associations (Salici-Populetum, Fraxino pannonicae - Ulmetum) are dominant. Non-native poplar plantations exist on 187 ha. The expansion of neophytes is recorded, e.g. the plants Fraxinus americana, Helianthus tuberosus and Negundo aceroides, as well as the fish Aristichthys nobilis, Carassius auratus gibelio and Lepomis gibbosus. Water habitats and wet sands with rare species occur as well. The fauna includes the vole Microtus oeconomus and the curlew Numenius arquata.

Hydrological/Physical notes: The landscape of the area is partly artificial. Locally, clayish sediments reach the top, resulting in a stagnation of floods and groundwater, as well as soil saturation. They are covered by permeable sandy-clay and less permeable alluvial sediments. The Morava River is a lowland river, cutting into the quaternary sediments and creating a meandering network . Its annual discharge is 111 cubic meter/second, the catchment area comprises 26,580 sq km. Adjacent land of the river has an altered hydrological regime (drained by ditches). The site is important for groundwater recharge, water quality control, flood control and sediment trapping. The stream itself is classified as polluted. The climate of this area is dry and warm with an average annual temperature of 9.3°C, and a mean annual rainfall of 600 mm.

Human Uses: The site is mixed owned by the state, communities, private and other owners, the surroundings mainly by private owners. The site has already been used prehistorically for forestry, fishing and agriculture. Nowadays, the main activities include forestry, agriculture (e.g. hay and crop production, pasture for livestock), gravel extraction, hunting, fishing, recreation, tourism, scientific research and education (e.g. informative trail incl. brochures). A visitor and conservation education centre is in place. The surroundings are additionally used for settlements, transportation facilities and industry.

Conservation Measures: The site is designated as a Protected Landscape Area, partly as Nature Reserves, an Important Bird Area and as a biological corridor of supra-regional importance. It is included into several transboundary ecological projects (e.g. GEF) concerning restoration, conservation and management to ensure sustainable development. Furthermore, it is part of the "Trilateral Ramsar Platform of the Morava-Dyje Floodplains" collaboration with Austria and the Czech and Slovak Republics and four NGOs, an initiative which won the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award in 2002. A new management plan for the alluvial meadows will be developed. The area was extended in 2003.

Adverse Factors: Organic water pollution is a real threat to the area. Accumulation processes accelerated former river bed regulations (disconnection of meanders, straight river bed sank below the original one, resulting in an increasing drainage of the river alluvium and a decreasing water table in the surroundings), more than 90% is regulated. The site is seriously threatened by 2 planned projects (a dam and a shipping channel). These changes are connected to a decreasing habitat and species diversity of the river, its productivity and retention capacity. In earlier times, 343 ha of unique meadows were ploughed up and unsuitable forest management took place. Nowadays, the expansion of neophytes, gravel extraction, illegal fishing and livestock have negative impacts on the site additionally. Due to development of industry and agriculture in the surroundings (mainly outside the Slovak Republic), pollution of the river has permanently increased. Growing tourism and recreational activities might pose a further threat.

Site Management: 1. State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, Administration of Protected Landscape Area Záhorie, Vajanského 19, 901 01 Malacky 2. Slovak Water Management Company, Danube River Catchment Administration, SVP - Povodie Dunaja, závod Malacky, Pri Maline 2389/1, 901 01 Malacky

External Link:

Based on the 2002 Ramsar Information Sheet