Elena Merjinyanu, expert
Ilia Trombitchi, a renowned ecologist, executive director of Eco-TIRAS (the International Association of Dniester River Stewards), and Doctor of Biological Sciences, explained the current problem in a Facebook post on August 12 as follows:
“I am often asked what the consequences of low water levels in the Dniester are for its ecosystem. Here is my answer.
Low water levels in the Dniester trigger a chain reaction of degradation in hydrological, physicochemical, and biological processes, dragging the river’s ecosystem into a sustained ecological crisis.
A decrease in flow volume and a drop in current velocity lead to rapid warming of the water column. High temperatures directly reduce oxygen solubility, causing bottom hypoxia (O₂ deficiency), which is especially dangerous at night.
Stagnation and rising concentrations of biogenic elements (phosphorus and nitrogen) stimulate algal blooms—the rapid proliferation of cyanobacteria and filamentous algae. As these organisms die off, they release toxins, and the decomposition process completely consumes the remaining oxygen.
Due to the reduced dilution effect and the suppression of aerobic microorganisms, the river loses its ability to process incoming organic and mineral pollutants. Due to the continued influx of organic pollutants, toxic blue-green algae develop, causing the death of aquatic organisms. The river loses its ability to self-purify, and the risk of transmitting pathogenic microorganisms and viruses increases.”
How Shallow Water Affects Fauna
The drying up of floodplain meadows, shallow bays, and riparian vegetation deprives phytophagous fish (carp, bream, pike, roach, etc.) of their breeding grounds, according to Ilia Trombitchi.
Fluctuations in water level and rapid receding of the water lead to the drying out of deposited eggs and the isolation of fry in cut-off shallow pools, where they die from overheating and oxygen deprivation.
Highly specialized and rheophilic species (those that prefer fast currents and clean water, such as the barbel, sterlet, virezub, and sabrefish) are displaced by undemanding limnophilic species (silver crucian carp, roach) and short-life-cycle fish.
The exposure of the littoral zone leads to the mass death of mollusks, caddisfly larvae, mayflies, and stoneflies, which form the basis of the river’s food web.
Disturbed and eutrophicated sections of the river channel become vulnerable to aggressive invasive species (such as round gobies, certain species of mollusks, and crustaceans), which ultimately displace native species.
In the lower reaches of the Dniester, water shortages lead to the drying up of floodplain lakes, oxbow lakes, and floodplains. This destroys key nesting, resting, and foraging sites for waterfowl and shorebirds.
The reduction in river flow results in a drop in the groundwater level in the floodplain, causing floodplain forests to dry up, meadows to turn into steppe, and riparian vegetation to degrade.
Reduced water flow could cause brackish water to rise as far as Belyaevka, where Odessa’s water intake is located.
What needs to be done?
This is not merely an environmental problem; its roots lie in the lack of a comprehensive legislative framework and the disregard for existing laws and regulations.
This is the view of Elena Marjinianu, Doctor of Law.
According to the university associate professor, the measures currently being taken must also be analyzed in terms of the preventive actions that should have been taken earlier.
“The effectiveness and competence of the authorities are always judged by how well they manage a situation given the resources at their disposal. Over the past two weeks, the authorities have taken certain measures and acted correctly. At this point, under the current circumstances, this is probably the best solution. However, what has been done over these two weeks should have been done earlier. This must be acknowledged. But other measures should have been taken even earlier,” said Elena Marjinianu.
Among the preventive measures mentioned by the expert are work to dredge and clean surface water bodies, as well as the creation of protective forest strips and windbreaks.
“I’ll mention just two, to simplify the discussion: work to clear and remove silt, as well as the creation of protective forest strips. Without protective forest strips, without forests, the ability to retain water is lost. Trees help conserve water and maintain balance in the aquatic ecosystem,” the lawyer explained.
The Dniester and other bodies of water need to be cleaned
Another issue raised by the legal expert concerns the ability of the responsible agencies to carry out the necessary work on the Dniester.
“But what have we done? This raises a question for the Apele Moldovei Agency: do we have the equipment, machinery, and high-powered excavators needed to carry out work to clear and clean up the Dniester? If so, when was the last time cleanup work was carried out on the Dniester?” she asked.
The associate professor also pointed out that, in certain situations, Moldova turns to the Transnistrian side to carry out work to clear the Dniester.
According to Elena Marjinianu, the maintenance of water bodies should be an ongoing activity, not something carried out only in the event of an emergency.
“And everywhere in Moldova, when we see a pond or lake drying up, the first question that comes to mind is: when was it last cleaned?” noted the Doctor of Law.
Creating Protective Forest Strips
Another important element of the strategy to mitigate the effects of drought is the creation of protective forest strips and windbreaks. In this context, Merjinyanu highlights their role in protecting water bodies.
“The second point is the creation of protective forest strips and windbreaks. Without these protective strips, surface water bodies dry up much faster. And these strips are mandatory under the law. In the case of the Dniester, there are even requirements regarding sanitary protection zones. And the width of a protective forest strip must be tens of meters. In some areas, this could mean tens or even hundreds of meters in width,” — explained Elena Marjinianu.
The expert notes that, according to the Water Law No. 272/2011, the width of the Dniester’s protection zone is at least 1,000 m (Art. 51, Part 5, subparagraph c), and the boundaries of riparian water protection zones for rivers longer than 200 km are at least 100 m (Article 53, Index 1, Part 2, subparagraph d).
She believes that small stands of trees are insufficient and that extensive forest belts are necessary.
“We need many rows of trees—not just two rows, and not old, dry trees. But these belts have not been planted.” And this raises the following question: Does the National Afforestation and Reforestation Program—which the Republic of Moldova has committed to implementing by 2032—provide for the planting of protective forest strips along surface water bodies? Or not?” the expert asks.
According to the lawyer, protecting water resources requires the simultaneous implementation of a number of measures, including reducing siltation and limiting evaporation.
“After all, if you don’t clean ponds, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water, and don’t plant protective forest strips to prevent dust and soil from entering the water and contributing to siltation—as well as to reduce excessive evaporation—then it’s impossible to preserve that body of water. And you won’t be able to retain water in the soil and groundwater systems because there are no tree roots. Where, then, will the water be retained?” she said.
Elena Marjinianu also explained the role of trees in maintaining the hydrological balance of ecosystems.
“A tree does more than just absorb and draw up water. It also helps retain water within that ecosystem. If these measures had not been taken, it is no surprise that we are now facing such problems throughout the republic, but especially in the eastern part of the country,” the lawyer emphasized.
Insufficient Preparedness for Crisis Situations
According to the university associate professor, the current crisis also highlights insufficient preparedness for emergencies.
“Thus, we are faced with a discrepancy between what we should have done but did not do. The second aspect is the realization that we are not sufficiently prepared to respond to emergencies and crises. To some extent, this is understandable: we haven’t conducted enough drills, and we haven’t faced similar situations before to know exactly how to respond,” said Elena Marjinianu.
The expert believes that the current situation should prompt the authorities to reconsider their approach to preparing for periods of drought and other extreme hydrological events.
In her view, the Republic of Moldova should ensure the regular dredging and maintenance of water bodies, have the necessary equipment for emergency response, expand protective forest belts, and improve emergency response mechanisms.
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