The Site consists of various floodplain habitats alongside the River Danube. The undisturbed forests, tributaries and oxbow lakes support a high diversity and density of endangered species. The Site supports various threatened ecological communities and two protected mammals: the common otter (Lutra lutra) and Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). Large numbers of migrating and wintering waterbirds regularly use the Site, and it is an important spawning and nursery ground for different fish species such as the globally threatened sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus). The groundwater regime of the floodplain depends directly on the water levels of the Danube. The Site plays an important role in sediment trapping and flood regulation. Human activities include forestry, hunting, fishing and recreation such as water sports and nature-based tourism: there are visitor centres, observation towers and nature trails within the Site. The main threats to its ecological character derive from intensive forest management, overfishing and navigation.