Popina Island

Popina Island
Popina Island in Lake Razim
Coordinates: 44 ° 58 ′ 3 ″  N , 28 ° 58 ′ 24 ″  E
Location:	Tulcea , Romania
Next city:	Babadag

The Popina Island ( Romanian Insula Popina ) is part of the core zone of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve . It is located in the north of the Razim Lake , on the area of ​​the municipality of Valea Nucarilor , in the district of Tulcea , Romania . In 1994 it was designated as a protected area in nature and landscape protection of the IUCN category IV biotope and species protection area ( bird sanctuary ).

description

Popina Island extends over 98 hectares in the northern part of Lake Razim. With a height of 47 meters, it is the highest place in the reserve. It can also be found on the maps of the 19th century under the name “Pochina”.

The Popina Island was placed under nature protection for the first time in 1933–1941 . By government resolution number 248 of May 27, 1994, which regulates the application of law number 82 of 1993 establishing the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve , the Popina Island was designated a strict nature reserve / wilderness area.

fauna and Flora

Due to the separation from the mainland, rare species of insects and reptiles found a suitable habitat here, such as the poisonous black widow ( Latrodectus tredecimguttatus ) or the giant millipede ( Scolopendra cingulata ). The island is the only place in the world where the endemic grasshopper Isophya dobrogensis lives.

The Popina Island is an important resting place and migration point for numerous migratory birds. With the spring migration come the nightingale ( Luscinia megarhynchos ), cap bunting ( Emberiza melanocephala ) and the calender lark ( Melanocorypha calandra ). Duck birds (Anatidae) and terns (Sternidae) nest here . In winter, the west bank of Lake Razim is populated by a million goose birds (Anseriformes), of which about 20,000 red-necked geese ( Branta ruficollis ) come from arctic Russia. The island is an important breeding ground for shelduck ( Tadorna tadorna ) and rust goose ( Tadorna ferruginea ).

Rare types of steppe plants also thrive here.

In the vicinity of Popina Island, 3,600 hectares have been designated as renaturation zones to restore the ecological balance .

See also

• List of nature reserves in Romania
• List of nature reserves in Tulcea County

Web links

• Gigi Paul Dragomir: Insula Popina , description of the Popina Island (Romanian)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Danube Delta ( Memento from March 6, 2014 in the Internet Archive ), main attractions and sights
2. ↑ Government Resolution No. 248 of May 27, 1994
3. ↑ ^{a b c} Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve , Dedicated Zones