Természetvédelmi Közlemények

The role of non-natural forests in the stopover ecology of long-distance migratory Passerines

2024-10-25T08:28:48+00:00

In our study, we investigated the stopover ecology of three long-distance migratory Sylviidae species with different habitat use in an oleaster-dominated forest and along an adjacent dried up channel in South-East Hungary. A total of 1,854 ringing and 261 recapturing data were analysed, from the autumn periods between 2016–2023. We intended to answer the following questions: how much time birds spend in the study area, how the amount of stored fat changes during this time, and how far the birds are able to migrate with this stored fat. Our results show that the importance of the area for migratory birds is similar to that of natural habitats, and therefore we consider the legal protection of these habitats to be a very important task in the future.

What is 200 years enough for? Is there spontaneous loess grassland regeneration in Tiszántúl (Hungary)?

2024-10-25T08:28:18+00:00

203 years ago, in 1820, Count Lajos Semsey handed over his arable land and grasslands to Balmazújváros in the area of Magdolna. The town turned them into a common pasture, and they have been grazed ever since. Previously, the area had been ploughed for a relatively short period, approximately 50–80 years. Magdolna consists of two saline flats, surrounded by saline grasslands and large areas of loess grassland (Salvio-Festucetum). In addition to old-fields, there are also small patches of unploughed loess grasslands. There is a striking difference between unploughed ancient grasslands of high naturalness, and old-fields of medium naturalness at the best, despite the fact that both the propagules and the grazing animals transporting them have been available for the past 203 years. We investigated the difference between abandoned croplands and ancient grasslands by 17 spatial series samples (modified Dengler-method), measuring both alpha and beta diversity.

Our results show that old-fields do not have an independent species pool and can be considered as poorer versions of ancient grasslands. The species-area relationships show a sharp distinction between the two types at all spatial scales. No structural gradient from the edge towards the interior was observed in old-fields bordering on the original vegetation. The species established in the old-field area can appear anywhere, but their frequency slightly increases towards the primeval grasslands. There is no colonizing front. The old-fields are not uniform, some have a better structure (on fine spatial scale, approaching the structural characteristics of the ancient grassland, but not reaching them), but even these are species poor.

In the study area, 203 years were not enough for regeneration. It seems that the ancient Salvio-Festucetum patches that have survived to the present day in the Tiszántúl cannot be considered as a source of propagules for a considerable proportion of loess-specialist species on a human scale, if the aim is spontaneous regeneration for conservation purposes. The way forward, and perhaps the solution could be attempting the documented and monitored introduction of spontaneously non-spreading species.

Using priority effect, propagule pressure and trait similarity to control invasive species by sowing native species

2024-10-25T08:29:23+00:00

Ecological restoration is an important tool in controlling plant invasions by management and increasing biotic resistance. We hypothesize that priority effect, increased propagule pressure of native species, and trait similarity enhance invasion resistance. In a controlled experiment, we tested the competition between three invasive species, representing different life forms and functional groups, and four native sandy grassland plant species with varying degrees of similarity. In the case of Asclepias syriaca, seed density and the sowing of similar native species were determinant. For Conyza canadensis, all three factors had a significant effect. Priority hindered seedling establishment in Tragus racemosus. Our results suggest that establishment of invasive plants can be limited by sowing native species, especially with higher seed densities and in seed mixes and by ensuring their earlier presence. Enhanced resistance can be achieved through a combination of different treatments.

Refuge strips are crucial for the conservation of the diverse arthropod fauna of meadows

2024-10-25T08:26:21+00:00

Mowing is one of the most widespread grassland management practices in Europe and, when applied correctly, can be a sufficient tool for conserving high grassland diversity. Uniform mowing of large grassland areas in a short period of time causes the direct mortality of arthropods, reduces microhabitat diversity and homogenises microclimatic conditions, which also has negative effects on arthropods. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of uncut refuge strips for arthropod conservation. We used sweep nets and pitfall traps for sampling grasshoppers, true bugs, carabids and spiders. We analysed the species richness and abundance of the studied taxa using linear mixed effects models. We found significantly higher species richness and abundance of arthropods on uncut plots than on mowed plots. This effect was stronger for vegetation-dwelling taxa, especially herbivores, than for ground-dwelling predators. Our results confirm that uncut refuge strips support diverse arthropod assemblages with high densities, and play a key role in the conservation of grassland arthropods.

Memories and remaining practitioners of gearless fishing and crab collecting in some regions of the Carpathian Basin

2024-10-25T08:30:00+00:00

Some segments of the traditional ecological knowledge associated with gearless fishing and crabbing for both subsistence and recreational purposes have survived in some parts of the world to the present day. Since in ethnographic literature, the phenomenon has been documented for centuries in the Carpathian Basin, and since the traditional lifestyle comprising this activity persisted in the region until the late 1970s or 1980s, I assumed that even today there are people who were actively involved in these activities, or who are even still able to fish without any gear. In my work, I have thus assumed that some of the traditional knowledge associated with these activities has survived modernisation, and I wanted to find at least a few more people who used to practise or still practises fishing and crabbing without gear in our region, while I was also curious to find out more about the some methodology and cultural background of this activity. In August 2022, I contacted 32 people in the Sóvidék region of Transylvania with the intention of interviewing them on the subject. Between August and December 2022, I continued this with online enquiries in Hungary, focusing on the North Hungarian Mountains and the Upper Tisza region, where I also sought people familiar with the subject, while in August 2023, I supplemented my research in the Western Bačka region of Vojvodina, Serbia, and in the eastern part of Baranja region, Croatia. I found a total of sixteen people who could maintain a conversation on the topic, of whom I was able to conduct recorded interviews with eleven. My interviewees reported on four of the five traditional gearless fishing methods. A total of eight species or taxa suitable for gearless fishing were mentioned during the interviews, and my interviewees were also able to provide information on the methodology of the activity. According to the interviews, the activity is a culturally regulated and sustainable practice that has not and does not result in significant fish or crab declines or population extinctions, with the exception of the use of few invasive methods or the occasional greedy attitude of a few gearless fishers. In summary, it seems that some elements of the traditional ecological knowledge associated with gearless fishing still lives on in the landscape today, despite all the old and new prohibitions and lifestyle changes.

Optimism and pessimism in conservation communication: Role and application in Hungary

2024-10-25T08:27:36+00:00

It is a basic dilemma in conservation communication whether optimistic or pessimistic messages have a stronger impact on people. However, data from Hungary related to this problem are scarce. In our study, we applied two approaches to examine the issue. We formulated the same conservation article with both a positive and a negative tone, then we shared both on social media and followed their impacts. On the other hand, we analyzed a database of optimistic and pessimistic news from two news portals. While based on the variously formulated new pieces and the data from Greenfo’s pages, pessimistic messages seem to be more successful, positive messages were more efficient according to the data of the Hungarian pages of National Geographic. Our results show that positivity or negativity of tone alone does not guarantee effective communication. It seems necessary to create a balance between optimistic and pessimistic messages, according to the demands of the target groups.

Importance of seed provenancing in ecosystem restoration: advantages and disadvantages in practical implementation

2024-10-25T08:27:01+00:00

The UN’s „Decade on Ecosystem Restoration” has given a new momentum to habitat restoration projects worldwide. Although there is general agreement on the need to regulate the transfer of seeds of native species for restoration purposes, in many cases the debate over the origin of seeds creates challenges in practical implementation. In our study, we analysed the advantages and disadvantages of using seeds from local and distant sources, and assessed the views of domestic restoration researchers, practitioners and other conservationists on the issue. Attitudes towards the priority of further research and immediate intervention differed significantly between researchers and practitioners. Based on our results, we proposed a framework to support decision and attain a consensus.

Public perception of the naturalness and aesthetic value of riverside landscapes along the Zagyva river, based on a questionnaire survey

2024-10-25T08:25:43+00:00

The restoration of urban river reaches is becoming increasingly important today, often because of their poor condition, and their role in the green infrastructure system. Involving local people into these projects can be useful. In the present research, we aim to explore the perceived naturalness and aesthetic value of riverside landscapes, and their relationship. We conducted our research via an online questionnaire survey with photographs involving three cities along the Zagyva river in Hungary. Our results show that perceived naturalness is important for the perception of the aesthetic value of landscapes, especially for the riverbed and vegetation; however, the aesthetic value of built elements is more positive than the perception of their naturalness. Perceived naturalness corresponded well to ecological naturalness for most of the explored aspects (e.g. proportion and naturalness of riverside woody vegetation, the presence of built elements). As the presence of deadwood in the riverbed was perceived aesthetically decidedly negative, its beneficial effects for nature conservation needs to be presented through environmental education and awareness raising projects.

Soil seed bank experiments at former feeding sites abandoned at different times

2024-10-25T08:24:51+00:00

The changes following the abandonment of feeding sites are still poorly known, especially regarding the soil seed bank. Therefore, we carried out an autumn seed bank sampling in the Mátra Mountains, after a previous spring one, at three abandoned bait sites of different ages (1, 8 and 10 years). Based on our results, it was clear that more species and more seeds were present in the autumn samples, and in all cases, the proportion of weed species and their seeds was higher. The most significant differences in vegetation and soil seed bank were detected in the most disturbed site, abandoned 1 year ago. Interannual vegetation changes were very well detectable from the seed bank as well, i.e. presumably, in addition to the persistent weed seed bank resulting from former usage, local seed dispersal can also play a major role at these sites. All of these can significantly hinder the regeneration of the affected grassland areas, and in the event of a possible new disturbance, in addition to the effects of climate change, they can even lead to another invasion.

Az alföldi tájak ’piramisainak’ megőrzése

2024-10-25T08:31:44+00:00

Az élőhelyszigetekként szolgáló kunhalmok az alföldi tájak több ezer éve ismert, jellegzetes és különleges helyszínei, ritka és veszélyeztetett növény- és állatfajok őrzői. A kunhalmok többféle szerepet is betölthettek építésük óta, ugyanaz a kunhalom például temetkezési helyként, őrhalomként és határhalomként is funkcionálhatott a különböző történelmi korokban. Annak ellenére, hogy a kunhalmok már építésük idejében is hozzájárulhattak a sík területek biodiverzitásának a megőrzéséhez, természetvédelmi jelentőségük a környező területek mezőgazdasági művelés alá vonása után került igazán a figyelem középpontjába. A mezőgazdasági tájakban szigetszerűen előforduló, jelenleg ex lege védett kunhalmokkal kapcsolatban egyre égetőbb kérdéssé vált, hogy milyen módon történhet a növényzetük hosszú távú fenntartása és helyreállítása, s hogy a hazai mezőgazdasági támogatási rendszer mennyire segíti fennmaradásukat. Ezekre a kérdésekre is választ kaphatunk az Árgay Zoltán és Deák Balázs által szerkesztett „Kunhalmok megőrzése mezőgazdasági területeken. Gyepek fenntartása és helyreállítása kurgánokon” című, az Agrárminisztérium támogatásával, a Kiskunsági Nemzeti Park Alapítvány gondozásában 2023-ban megjelent könyvben.

A Szent Anna-krátertó aktuális természetvédelmi kérdései tíz év kutatási munka tükrében

2024-10-25T08:32:28+00:00

A Szent Anna-tavat Közép-Kelet-Európa egyetlen krátertavaként, valamint Erdély egyik legismertebb és leglátogatottabb turisztikai látványosságaként tartják számon. Bár a turisztikai leírások gyakran emlegetik a világ legtisztább vizű tavaként, az elmúlt évtizedek során jelentősen megváltozott ez a helyzet, annak ellenére is, hogy a tó és az ikerkráterében fekvő Mohos-tőzegláp Natura 2000-es természetvédelmi területek, és természetvédelmi kezelés alatt vannak. Ezen védett területek szakszerű kezelését nehéz elképzelni monitoring, folyamatos felmérések és probléma azonosítása nélkül, amelyek alapján megszülethetnek a természetvédelmi intézkedések. A Sapientia Erdélyi Magyar Tudományegyetem Csíkszeredai Kara 2012-ben indított el egy komplex kutatási programot, dr. Máthé István mikrobiológus vezetésével, amelyhez több intézmény kutatói csatlakoztak, azzal a céllal, hogy a tó komplex ökológiai rendszerének megértésén munkálkodjanak, és kiderítsék a vízminőség romlásának okait. A kutatásban a Sapientia EMTE partnerei voltak a Balatoni Limnológiai Kutatóintézet, az Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem Mikrobiológiai Tanszéke, a Babeș-Bolyai Tudományegyetem Geológia Intézete, valamint a debreceni Atommagkutató Intézet. Ha ezt a csapatot a kezdetekben egy közös kutatási projekt hozta is össze, mára már a kíváncsiság és a megoldáskeresés motivációja tartja össze őket.