Techirghiol, Romania – On March 28th, The Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI) organized a workshop on “The Impact of Pedological Drought on Salt Lakes – Risks to Natural Habitats, Biodiversity and Therapeutic Mud ”, as part of the EU-funded DaWetRest project. The event, brought together around 40 participants from local, regional, and national authorities, SMEs, NGOs, research institutes, and DaWetRest project partners from Romania and Bulgaria.
The workshop focused on the vulnerability of hypersaline lake ecosystems under increasing climate pressures and drought conditions. The objectives were to:
- Assess the ecological status and vulnerability of salt lakes under prolonged drought;
- Highlight risks to habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and and the decline in therapeutic mud quality;
- Promote nature-based and science-driven solutions for climate adaptation and wetland restoration;
- Encourage cross-border cooperation between Romanian and Bulgarian stakeholders;
- Support the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” through community-based approaches.
At the end of the workshop, participants signed the “Declaration on the Protection of Salt Marsh Habitats, Coastal Lagoons and Sapropelic Mud Resources,” urging coordinated action to address climate impacts. The declaration will be disseminated publicly and submitted to relevant authorities to mobilize support and drive action.
Salt lakes and marshes in Romania and Bulgaria are facing rapid degradation due to climate change, pollution, and unregulated use, threatening biodiversity, therapeutic mud resources, and local livelihoods. The declaration calls for the protection of these habitats, which are essential ecologically and socio-economically.
