Danube River

"Crossing through ten countries and draining the territory of 19 countries, the Danube is the most international river in the world. In addition to the 83 million people living in the river basin, the Danube is home to globally important species of flora and fauna. In its 2,780 km course from Germany's Black Forest to its outlet at the Black Sea, the Danube basin supports a diverse system of natural habitats and unique biological diversity. The Danube River Basin has more than 100 different species of fish - including five sturgeon species - and it is home to rare birds like the white pelican, white tailed eagle and black stork." Despite its biodiversity, "over the past 150 years, the Danube has been much abused. Dikes, dams and dredging have straightened large sections of the river. More than 80% of the Danube's wetlands have been lost, and with them the rich diversity of fish and other species on which they depend."