ISSN 1589-4673 (Print) In our present world new scientific areas are arising. Basic researches are developing, areas handling our environment more as units are under intensive development. In these works the role of protection and knowing of the landscape has increased significantly. Our journal started in 2003 wishes to participate in the development of landscape ecology as a synthesizing science and disciplines directly connecting to it. Our journal provides opportunity for scientists to publish new results, to write publications in Hungarian and in other world languages, too. We are waiting for short communications that help scientists in scientific orientation.
A folyóirat Open Access (Gold). Cikkeire a Creative Commons 4.0 standard licenc alábbi típusa vonatkozik: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0. Ennek értelmében a mű szabadon másolható, terjeszthető, bemutatható és előadható, azonban nem használható fel kereskedelmi célokra (NC), továbbá nem módosítható és nem készíthető belőle átdolgozás, származékos mű (ND). A licenc alapján a szerző vagy a jogosult által meghatározott módon fel kell tüntetni a szerző nevét és a szerzői mű címét (BY).
Effects of a mobile coop based chicken grazing in an organic orchard – Preliminary results
Poultry species are relatively rare among the target animals of grazing, and relatively few research has so far investigated the effect of poultry grazing in its details, including hen grazing on grassland vegetation. In our work, we studied the changes of grassland vegetation caused by a flock of organic laying hens grazed in mobile barns. The grazing field was selected in the organic apple orchard of the Babatvölgy Bio-Kerteszeti Tangazdaság of GAK near Gödöllő. During our work, we studied 8 grazing paddocks (grazed and control parts) of 4 sampling units at the beginning and the end of the paddocks’ grazing. In the current paper we present the data of the sampling unit closest to the mobile coop, which is therefore most exposed to disturbance. We recorded the percentage cover of each plant species and the phenological state of the plants, then analysed the floral composition based on social behaviour types, nature conservation value categories and grazing values. Our results show that the vegetation of the study area is characterized as a few years old fallow – dominated by weed and disturbance-tolerant species, but there are also species, indicating a (more) natural state. As for the effect of grazing, it can be said that laying hens mainly graze the "softer" plant parts that are easier to peck. Regardless of the phenological phase, they eat everything that is green plant, even fibrous grass species and poisonous plants are on their diet, though with least preference. As the effects of grazing, it should also be noted that no significant weeding effect of hen grazing could be observed in the examined time interval, so the herd could be successfully used for the management of the area.
Copyright (c) 2022 Saláta Dénes, Lénárd Mátyás, Zámbó Sándor, Tirczka Imre, Penksza Károly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Testing the effects of pesticides with enchytraeus albidus avoidance test
Chemical plant protection is a dominant practice in agriculture. Therefore, investigating the side effects of pesticides on non-target species is a critical task for ecotoxicologists. Accordingly, the effects of a fungicide Quadris (a.i. azoxystrobin), and an acaricide Flumite 200 (a.i. flufenzin), were investigated separately and as a mixture. Both pesticides are often used in domestic viticulture contemporary. Environmental samplings were carried out before and after the pesticide application and based on OECD standards avoidance tests were implemented on enchytraeid species Enchytraeus albidus. At some concentrations, test animals showed avoidance. However, these concentrations were several orders higher than the recommended application concentrations. Based on these observations, we believe that enchytraeids can sense and avoid the applied pesticides. Therefore, tested pesticides do not have a significant environmental toxicity risk to enchytraeid worms when used according to recommendations.
Copyright (c) 2022 Révész Anna, Szabó Borbála, Boros Gergely https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
We can find a large number of protected area types around the world, many of which are completely unknown to the Hungarian legislation concerning nature conservation, i.e., these area types are different from the types used by Hungarian law. The database of IUCN enumerates all the protected areas established between 1903 and 2001, and the area types, too. We apply the term known from Hungarian legislation "protected natural area" to these area types regardless of what sort of local measurements are in place for their protection. The national scenic area, the landscape park, the area of relevant ecological interest or the scenic reserve all have in common that they are created to safeguard landscapes. Out of all protected area types concerning landscape protection established in the researched period, scenic reserves seem to be the most abundant (1385), followed by landscape protection areas (1279) – the latter of which we may all know from Hungary. In this nearly 100 years Hungary also saw the creation of many protected areas concerning landscape protection. In this article, we also aim to give an overview of the various types of protected areas from all over the world to get a glimpse of the far-off areas where some sort of landscape protection is in place.
Copyright (c) 2021 Rapala Miklós, Bodnár Márk, Dobozi Aliz, Kovács Réka, Nagy Zsolt https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Conceptual approach for urban and rural scenarios
At present we are talking about the discourse that more than half of the world's population lives in urban spaces, using this process as a substitute, we speak conceptually of the city. However, it is not yet precisely what is considered as urban space, the urban world, or simply the urban term, which hinders conceptual consensus. Similarly, it is difficult to agree on the rural definition. Although in practice there are conjectures about the difference that prevails for one or another concept, there is not a single paradigm accepted by experts on these issues. For example, it is possible to find areas that are recently urbanized in regions that could have been classified as rural or vice versa. Therefore, by doing a literal review this research seeks to define some general characteristics that will facilitate the distinction between rural space and urban space these days. For Example, in the case of Mexico, space is a societal class implicit in the action of human groups and consequently its contextual structure and the characteristic that change with history and time. Phenomena such as globalization, which impact socially and geographically, also influence the evident differences that characterized urban spaces in rural areas until recently public services impregnated with tradition began to blur the inequalities between one another. It is possible to find evidence on the penetration of capitalist investment in both urban and rural areas through tourist and industrial complexes. Similarly, the growing intervention of the service sector in the rural economy, the strengthening of rural spaces, the transformation of identities that arise in the process of large migrations from underdeveloped countries to developed countries, contribute to the transformation. In the same manner, the limits between urban and rural seem to be eliminated in this expansive and binding phenomenon, when strong pressure is generated from markedly urban spaces, in the face of rural spatiality, an invasion that also continuously grows towards its surroundings. Consequently, one of the conclusions that can be advanced in this regard is that all the processes experienced by rural and urban spaces increasingly depend on a global system that maintains and increases socio-spatial links, but on local and solid ties. A complex analysis of these two social scenarios is pertinent, as well as the generation of new conceptual structures and categories of analysis for an adequate approach, which are proposed here.
Copyright (c) 2021 Diego Nápoles, Francisco Jalomo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
IALE 2025 European Landscape Ecology Congress Landscape Perspectives in a Rapidly Changing World
Copyright (c) 2025 Centeri Csaba https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Beszámoló a 3. Urbanizációs Ökológia Konferenciáról Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Természettudományi Kar, Pécs
Copyright (c) 2025 Rusvai Katalin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Development of protected areas in the Western Balkans
Protected areas in the Western Balkans face their own challenges, which have changed over time in line with the political and socio-cultural development of the region. The protection efforts began in the 19th century, aiming to protect small areas representing landscapes with significant aesthetic or cultural values. During the 20th century, with the increase in scientific knowledge about nature, the purpose of protection transformed into a more ecological approach. Nowadays, maintaining sustainability is the most often claimed aim in relation to protected areas in the Dinaric Mountain range. The number and size of protected areas have been relatively modest, but during recent decades they have increased progressively. In the past, the main challenges faced by authorities were creating institutions responsible for the management of protected areas, developing a legal framework for their functioning and establishing protected areas themselves. Today, the increase in the number of protected areas poses new challenges to be met by the Western Balkans countries and their administrations. The role of protected areas is being transformed and reinterpreted through development in national policies as well as in local economic activities that impact the sustainable management and functioning of local communities. Addressing these challenges requires a more holistic approach crossing cultural and political borders among nations and communities in the region. Combining the already established top-down management strategy with a bottom-up approach should help in addressing these challenges.
Copyright (c) 2025 Doli Taulant, Kučera Zdeněk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The natural values of the Börzsöny-Ipoly Valley based on a survey of local residents
The main objective of our article is to explore what the residents of the settlements in the Börzsöny-Ipoly Valley (the area bordered by the western and eastern regions of Börzsöny and the Lower Ipoly Valley) consider the most important natural and landscape values of the region, how and to what extent they are attached to them, and how this shapes their sense of identity. For our research, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 118 local residents in 12 settlements. The interview transcripts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative content analysis. Our results show that locals consider water resources (the Ipoly River, streams, springs, lakes) and wetlands, as well as natural formations and terrestrial habitats to be the most important natural and landscape values of the region. The majority have a present and active connection to the Börzsöny (hiking, excursions, walking), while the Ipoly evokes childhood memories and is a place of spiritual and mental rejuvenation. Water sports are less important to them. Mushroom picking is the most common form of using the natural resources, but locals also collect medicinal herbs, wild plants, and flowers. The changes and transformations in land-use are striking: berry orchards are being dismantled, animal husbandry has largely ceased, and monocultural cultivation and the concentration of land ownership are on the rise. On the positive side, however, some farmers are experimenting with newer, more productive fruit varieties. Respondents' knowledge of nature conservation in the region varies. The protection of natural environmental values is mainly represented by municipal waste collection and river cleaning. Therefore, it would be useful to establish a regional selective waste collection system. The infrastructure elements of environmental education (forest schools, nature trails, visitor centers, greenways) are quite inadequate in the region, and it would be important to expand them. There is a need for organized efforts to shape the attitudes of local residents (some schools have good practices in this regard) and improve their environmentally conscious mindset. All this would have a positive impact on the waste management practices of families and their attitude towards protected areas. In addition to educational institutions and civil society organizations, the Danube-Ipoly National Park Directorate and the professional staff of Ipoly Erdő state forestry company could be key partners in educating locals about the environment and expanding their knowledge. All this is essential for the long-term, conscious and sustainable management as well as for the conservation of natural resources, which are one of the most important foundations of life for the region's population.
Copyright (c) 2025 Halász Gergely, Havel Alexandra, Saláta Dénes, Káposzta József, Kurcz Kristián, Tormáné Kovács Eszter https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Co-existence of protected plant species in dry grasslands
The paper discusses co-existence of protected plant species growing in dry grasslands of the Carpathian Basin. Our approach is based on a hypothesis that the presence of a rare, protected species on a habitat can be considered as indicator for potential presence of some further rare species (having similar ecological requirements). Based on this „indicator hypothesis” we also believe that the given habitat can successfully support transplanted populations of the indicated species. So thus, this approach can be used for nature conservation operations, when species from threatened habitats need to be transplanted into a safe place. For demonstration purposes, the paper shows examples for co-existence of protected species at three different spatial scales, as follows: at landscape scale, at the scale of a 250 m by 250 m grid system survey and at the level of phytosociological relevés. In each case realised rates of co-existences and predicted rates of co- existences were compared (based on occurrence probabilities of individual protected species). Altogether, values related to 41 species pairs are listed in tables. Advantages and limitations of the proposed method are discussed.
Copyright (c) 2007 Csontos Péter, Isépy István, Tamás Júlia, Lőkös László https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Orchid mycorrhizal fungal diversity of Orchis militaris habitats
We have investigated the symbionts of Orchis militaris and the fungal communities at some of the habitats of Orchis militaris. Symbiotic fungi were identified from orchid roots and from in situ germinated protocorms by molecular methods, based on the sequence of nrITS region. Four genus-like taxa of orchid mycorrhizal fungi could be identified from Orchis militaris: Epulorhiza I, Epulorhiza II, Ceratobasidium and Sebacina. This high fungal diversity can be in connection with Orchis militaris ability to live at diverse habitats. Assaying the fungi at some of the Orchis militaris habitats, the highest symbiotic fungal diversity was found at wetlands while dry and/or disturbed habitats showed the poorest diversity, only or mainly with Epulorhiza II symbionts. Comparing the symbionts of adult Orchis militaris plants and protocorms, we discovered, that the protocorms were infected only with Epulorhiza II fungi, while adult plants lived in symbiosis with more genera of orchid mycorrhizal fungi.
Copyright (c) 2007 Ouanphanivanh Noémi, Illyés Zoltán, Rudnóy Szabolcs, Bratek Zoltán https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Examination of Cadmium Uptake of Rye-Grass (Lolium Perenne) in Small Pot Experiment
There is a relevant effect on soil properties on the plant uptake of heavy metals. The plants show different reaction on these kind of loadings. Some species extinct at a certain amount of heavy metal concentration and others just accumulate them without any kind of visible sign. In this paper a cadmium loading were carried out (5 mg/kg) with zinc addition (5 mg/kg) in a small pot experiment with rye-grass (Lolium perenne). Soil samples were taken from 4 sites from ploughland, grass land and forest land use types. It was compared the accumulation characteristics of the two metals and analysed their interconnection with the soil properties. It was detected that although, the difference between the zinc and cadmium load of the soils compared to the metal content of the soil is about 500 times (1/10 in the case of zinc and 50 times in the case of cadmium) the difference in the plant uptake is only 4–7 times. There is a close correlation between the zinc and cadmium uptake of plants and the cadmium concentration of soils plays an important role in it. Zinc shows positive correlation while cadmium exhibits negative correlation with organic matter. This can be explained by that zinc prefers fulvous acids when forming readily solvable chelats while cadmium bonds to more complexly polymerized humus material with longer carbon chain. Therefore zinc is solved even by root acids in contrast to cadmium that can be solved only by stronger acids. Besides organic colloids inorganic colloids i.e. clay fraction also showed close correlation.
Copyright (c) 2007 Szabó Szilárd, Hangyel László, Ágoston Csaba https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Water-course sections – microclimate sections
In case of water-courses, different sections are usually distinguished. Based on it, in this study the microclimatic changes of individual sections are analysed and system of microclimatic sections belonging to the individual sections is established by bringing these references to one system. Knowledge and use of atmospheric physical condition belonging to the given section is essential to interpret and to distinguish the different water-course sections.
Copyright (c) 2007 Loksa Gábor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The beginning of nature conservation history concerning the designation of protected areas
The history of nature conservation of the world provides us numerous lessons for handling nature conservation areas in the present, dramatically fast changing world. The official beginning of nature conservation is 1872 when Yellowstone National Park was established. At the beginning, especially in the 20th century, the designation of the natural areas happened slowly but increasing number of countries joined and founded protected areas. In the present we wish to continue our previous article, introducing the foundation of protected lands from the beginning of the year before the First World War until The Great Depression. Examined data refers to the protected lands included in IUCN database and categorized by the IUCN categories.
Copyright (c) 2007 Centeri Csaba, Gyulai Ferenc, Penksza Károly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Methodological issues for composing the botanical programme of camps on knowledge of nature
The „Süni” (Hedgehog) summer camps on knowledge of nature, organised by Pangea Cultural and Environmental Association for children between 8 and 18, are effective means of environmental education. Structure and methods of botanical special programmes of camps organised between 1996 and 2006 are presented. Most important aim of these programmes is to create direct connections between children and nature by making them get experiences on elements and phenomena of nature from different dimensions, while improving their skills on cooperation. Methods for the familiarization of phytoanatomy, -taxonomy, -geography, coenology, ecology and especially medicinal herbs and their effects are presented within the draft syllabus given for preparing the botanical programme of camps in parallel with aims to be achieved and its possibilities during the excursions. The main aim is to create as many connections between children and flora as possible, in order to make them recognize the diversity and investigate in further exploration as well as create a claim for the preservation of living beings as being adults.
Copyright (c) 2007 Malatinszky Ákos https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Pasture management plan aiming nature conservation for the protection of the wooded pasture bbetween Pénzesgyőr and Hárskút
The wooded pasture between Pénzesgyőr and Hárskút (abandoned in the 1990’s) was deserved. Based on the examination of the past and present state, a management plan aiming a landscape and habitat protection was prepared. The basis of this plan is the extensive grazing, because this was the dominant land use before. Nature conservation played a central role during the planning, because there are numerous protected plant and animal species on the examined area. The habitat of these species became endangered with the abandonment of the area 15 years ago. Lack of grazing gave way to natural succession processes. Authors’ plan wishes to show (in theory) how is it possible to farm on a sustainable way together with the neighboring settlements on a forgotten farming land.
Copyright (c) 2007 Kenéz Árpád, Szemán László, Szabó Máté, Saláta Dénes, Malatinszky Ákos, Penksza Károly, Breuer László https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
A dunabogdányi vadaskert vegetációjának változása 1783 és 2006 között
A dunabogdányi Vadaskert területén a 18. század közepétől egészen az 1950-es évekig szőlő- és gyümölcstermesztés folyt. A termelés felhagyása után másodlagos gyepek alakultak ki, melyek visszaerdősülése ma már sok helyen tapasztalható. A Vadaskert területe az 1980-as évek végétől lezárt, ettől kezdve igen népes vadállomány él itt, melynek hatására az erdősülési folyamatok csaknem mindenütt jelentősen lelassultak. A ma jellemző folyamatok megértéséhez és jellemzéséhez mindenképpen ismernünk kell a terület múltját. Mivel azonban részletes botanikai felmérés még nem készült, így a korábbi állapotok vizsgálatához a beszerezhető térképszelvényeket és légifelvételeket kellett felhasználnunk. Így vált lehetségessé a terület múltjának rekonstrukciója egészen 1783-ig. Munkánk során rögzítettük a Vadaskert élőhely-foltjainak állapotát, elkészítettük az egyes foltok fajlistáit, és megrajzoltuk a mai állapot vegetációtérképét, melynél természetesen komoly segítséget jelentettek a rendelkezésre álló modern térképszelvények és légifelvételek is. E mellett került sor a régi térképek vizsgálatára is. Az elkészült térképsor elemzésekor meghatároztuk az előforduló vegetációtípusok területarányának változását is. Ez a következő fontosabb eredményekkel szolgált. Jól látható, hogy a területen a művelésbe vonás, azaz a németek 18. századi betelepítése előtt nagyrészt erdők – feltételezhetően gyertyános-tölgyesek – voltak jelen. Ezt követően kiterjedt szőlőkultúra figyelhető meg, mely azonban az 1950-es évekre fokozatosan eltűnik, a szőlők helyén pedig számos értékes fajt is tartalmazó másodlagos gyepek jöttek létre. Ezt követően napjainkig folyamatos a gyertyános-tölgyes visszatelepülése nem csak a gyepterületek rovására, hanem a Csepri-hegy telepített erdeifenyvese területén is. Komoly problémát okoz azonban két idegenhonos fafaj, az akác (Robinia pseudoacacia) és a bálványfa (Ailanthus altissima) terjeszkedése, valamint a fokozott vadrágás-taposás is.
Copyright (c) 2007 Hock Ferenc, Tóth Zoltán https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Landscape ecological and landscape typological investigations on the Tetves catchment
As the importance of nature and environmental protection has become an important issue recently, the question of natural resources came into limelight as well. The fundamental interests of nature and environmental protection are not obvious for everyone, although the protection of natural resources is strongly connected with serious economical interests. The regulations of the protection and of sustainable use of soil, water and mineral resources are permanent problems, caused by conflicts with economic interests and with efforts to make quick profit or by simple negligence. To save these values it is essential to know the area very well and for land use and landscape planning the exact knowledge of natural resources is of primary importance. Most precious natural resources of Hungary are the soil and, because of its turistical attraction, the landscape itself. The situation is the same in case of the study area, the catchment of the Tetves stream: the main incomes of population are agriculture and tourism, the latter mainly because of the touristic attraction of the Lake Balaton. The methods of physical geography and its synthetizing attitude are highly suitable for a complex investigation of the environment and for the protection of natural resources. The landscape in its entity and the protection of its values can not be investigated successfully without applying the methods of physical geography and landscape ecology. As a consequence of this, landscape protection, nature protection, landscape planning and land use planning have to supported also by physico-geographical and landscape ecological research. Landscape types of the Tetves catchment are as follows: I. Floodplain landscape types: Floodplain under permanent influence of water, with original riparian vegetation; Alluvial plain (valley bottom) with fluvisol, meadow or pasture; Alluvial plain (valley bottom) with fluvisol, arable land; Alluvial plain (valley bottom) with fluvisol, forest; Alluvial plain (valley bottom) with fluvisol, vineyard or orchard; Alluvial plain (valley bottom) with arenosol, vineyard or orchard. II. Hilly landscape types: Hilly area with cambisol, forest; Hilly area with eroded cambisol, forest; Footslope with cambisol, arable land; Hilly area with eroded cambisol, arable land; Hilly area with eroded cambisol, vineyard or orchard; Hilly area with cambisol, vineyard or orchard. These categories were applied on the map of landscape types. 1. Habitats of the Tetves catchment were identified on the basis of the Universal National System for Habitat Classification. Habitats were classified according to their unaffectedness applying the following categories: nearly natural habitats; nearly natural disturbed and weedy habitats; and agricultural, sylvicultural and other habitats. On the northern part of the catchment, which belongs to the Somogy Shore Plain, the numbers of the habitats of the above mentioned categories are 2; 1; 6 respectively. In the southern part belonging to the Western Outer Somogy these numbers are 5; 3 and 13. We pointed out that in spite of the predominance of the agricultural, sylvicultural and other habitats, the Tetves catchment, being a diverse landscape, has considerable ecological value, and is therefore one of the main natural resources of the area. Using the map of landscape types presented in this paper together with the habitat map showing the natural value of the area, our knowledge about the region will be more complete. Regularly updated maps applied for any particular problem can be effective tools for sustainable landscape architecture and land use planning.
Copyright (c) 2007 Tóth Adrienn, Szalai Zoltán https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The effects of farmland composition and heterogeneity on the density of three farmland bird species in Hungary
The intensification of agriculture and change in the landscape may cause severe decline in farmland bird populations. Our primary goal was to examine the effects of farmland management and landscape composition and structure on the relative density of Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) and Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra). The common bird monitoring (MMM) was started in 1999 in Hungary, covering all major habitat types. We used this database for our analysis. The other database, that we used is the CORINE 1:50,000 Land Cover Map. We examined the effects of agricultural habitats (for example large arable fields, natural grasslands with trees and scrubs, small scale vineyards, homesteads, fruit and berry orchards), the number of patches and length of edges on the relative densities of the three species. Our results show that the habitat preference is species specific. Skylark strongly prefers large open habitats. The density of Corn Bunting correlated with the natural grasslands without trees and scrubs. The Tree Sparrow preferred small scale vineyards, and the large arable fields. We suggest that further information on the habitat preferences of these species are needed for their effective protection on farmland in Hungary.
Copyright (c) 2007 Erdős Sarolta, Szép Tibor, Báldi András, Nagy Károly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The KIPA method for the assessment of land suitability
In order to review the regions and determine the land use categories of the National Spatial Plan (NSP), a land- use survey was carried out. This allowed us to conduct a study towards improving the methodology of area function and area suitability analyses. Setting the suitability of lands for arable production as an example, this paper presents the potential of the so-called KIPA-method in the field of land assessment. Being based on experts’ strategies, KIPA is suitable for ranking complex systems. Our KIPA-analysis studied fields (areas) with different environmental variables. The analysis ranked these different areas on the basis of their suitability to the production of various (in this study: five) arable crops. Environmental variables, weighed according to experts’ opinion were the basis of the KIPA-analysis, which involved the composite comparison of the studied areas. In order to evaluate and rank the areas, we calculated the difference between preference (advantage) and incompetence (disadvantage) figures for each area per each environmental variable. The studied areas (area- variables) were classified and evaluated according to their ranking in the before-mentioned analysis. These field studies resulted in helping us to determine what would the qualifications of the rating ‘high-quality arable land’ be in the context of NSP.
Copyright (c) 2007 Schneller Krisztián, Podmaniczky László https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Natural environment – an environmental psychological approach
Distinction of the natural and built environment is the basis of several environmental psychological theories. One of the main characteristics of these theories is that — in different ways —, they can be related closely to considerations of other fields of psychology, e.g., health psychology and life-quality studies. In the psychology of natural environment researchers make scientific investigations in two areas: attitudes (evaluative relationships, e.g., place satisfaction of people, nature protection, environmental problems), and preferences. Environmental preferences are studied typically from an evolutional viewpoint: according to the theories the actual landscape-preferences had developed because of their adaptivity. The essence of these preferences is the green-experience. The results of these environmental psychological investigations make us understand the role of natural environment in human relaxational and recreational behavior.
Copyright (c) 2005 Dúll Andrea, Dósa Zsuzsanna https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Land use and landscape value protection in the Hollókő World Heritage site and its surroundings
The aims of the researches of the Dept. of Landscape Preservation and Reclamation carried out in Hollókő between 2002 and 2004 were: status review of the landscape characteristics and values; exploration and documentation of the environmental endowments determining landscape character; analysis of the exceptionally beautiful landscape scenery; exploration of the environmental problems and the conceptional determination of the landscaping tasks and management zones. The landscape elements worth for environmental interpretation within the World Heritage Site and adjacent surroundings were investigated in three categories: natural and semi natural plant associates; geological, geomorphologic and hydrological values; cultural-historical values. Plant associates, in one hand, worth for legal protection because of their rarity and scientific significance, in the other hand, of those characteristics for that landscape structure were investigated and valuated. Among the evaluated geoheritage, andesite vein of Hollókő, exposure of andesite and sand in the abandoned quarries, the streams and their springs are worth for environmental interpretation. The cultural-historical values were typified as water management relics, agricultural land use relics and quarrying relics. Important part of the researches was the scenic analyses of the landscape around Hollókő. During this investigation, primary and secondary scenic boundaries were determined, as well as landscape scenery. As a result, proposals were given for the management zones of the World Heritage Site and its neighbourhood.
Copyright (c) 2005 Csima Péter, Gergely Attila, Kiss Gábor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Microelement content studies in soils of dolomite grasslands and austrian pine plantations
Soil microelement content of closed dolomite grassland (ZG) and Pinus nigra Arn. plantation (FF) of north facing slopes were compared. At FF sites the original vegetation was ZG prior to afforestation. For each vegetation type 5 sampling sites were selected in the Buda Mts., Hungary. At each sites soil samples were taken from three depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–15 cm) then transported to the laboratory. Microelement concentrations of the corresponding soil layers of the two vegetation types were statistically analyzed (t-test). Number of microelements showing significant differences in their concentrations was increased with soil depth. At the deepest layer (10–15 cm) significant differences were found for 10 microelements (Pb, Al, Cd, Sr, Fe, Ba, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn) and their concentrations were always higher in the pine plantation. Values exceeding the limits of background concentrations were found for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in three and four cases, respectively. Surprisingly, in case of FF sites these airborne trace-element pollutants showed concentrations higher at depth 10–15 cm than at depth 5–10 cm. Concentrations of some further trace-elements showed similar inversion at FF sites, but their amounts did not exceed limits of background concentrations. Possible causes of the observed differences between soils of grassland and pine plantation sites were discussed.
Copyright (c) 2005 Halbritter András, Tamás Júlia, Anton Attila, Uzinger Nikolett https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Coenological investigations on grasslands managed by different cultivation methods in the South-Eastern part of the Hungarian Great Plain
Sample plots considered as the threesubassociations of Salvio-Festucetum rupicolae association by multivariate analysis are evaluated as well. The results show that considered as the samples of uniform stands of that association are highly separated from each other. The sample plots of dominance of Koeleria cristata extremely separate from the plots of stands of Festuca rupicola and Festuca valesiacae. These plots of Festuca rupicola and Festuca valesiacae stands are separated, also. This observation probably helps the identification of these spots. Consequently of the results of of our examinations the abundances and dominances of Festuca species are decisive for constractions and coenological differences of loess grass stands.
Copyright (c) 2005 Herczeg Edina, Pottyondy Ákos, Penksza Károly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The vegetation of the the Bátorliget mire reserve and its changes in the last 15 years
The Bátorliget Mire Reserve is located 15 km East of the city Nyírbátor in the Nyírség Region, NE-Hungary. It is one of the oldest nature reserves in Hungary, and its vegetation map was prepared several times, most recently in 1989. The aim of this study was to survey the actual state of the vegetation and to asses its changes during the last 15 years. Based on recent aerial photographs and field surveys a digital vegetation map was prepared for the Reserve by using geoinformatic softwares (Erdas Imagine 8.6 and ArcView GIS 3.0). Each vegetation type was given a detailed description. Phytosociological relevès were recorded in those vegetation types where such study was conducted during our previous research at the site in 1990. The most typical vegetation types are willow swamps, birch swamps, marshes, tufted sedge communities, wet and dry meadows, oak-ash-elm gallery forests, sandy pedunculate oak - silver lime forests and black locust stands. In the last 15 years vegetation succession accelerated as habitat water regime gradually became less favourable for water demanding vegetation, nutrients accumulated, and invasive species and other weeds became more abundant. As a result of these, former wet meadows of highest conservation value turned into homogenous tufted sedge communities dominated by Carex acutiformis and/or Carex riparia. These changes are unambiguously shown by the repeated phytocoenological sampling as well. The area of wet meadows decreased in this period mostly due to spontaneous forest regeneration in the absence of proper grassland management. In the shrub layer of the sandy oak forests the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) became dominant. No change was detected in hardwood gallery forests and in birch swamps.
Copyright (c) 2005 Tinya Flóra, Tóth Zoltán https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Complex (functional and structural) landscape ecology research in the border area of the Dél-Alföld Region
Nowadays, the main aim of the landscape research is that how a land use type of a given area suits with the land capability and what sort of social activities can be placed with the minimum risk. Human are – as determinative factors of the landscape – have more and more influence on the function and shape of the landscape. The goal of the research is to explore the antropogen-technogen process in the landscape that chose by the aspect of the nature-society interaction and also to get to know the structure and function of the landscape. The researched area is a part of the Körös-Maros National Park and it can be found in the North of the park, near the village called Biharugra. It is also important to mention because of its bird and wildlife habitat. The area is protected since 1997. As the above mentioned area is a periphery rural and border landscape, it is important in terms of the land use and also means peculiar function for both side of the border, such as: environmental awareness and environmental conflicts to be handled for those who live there, to harmonize the development of agrarian and rural landscape with the environment protection and nature conversation and how the natural state of the settlement effects the wider surrounding areas. Using of the landscape particularly we must pay attention to protecting the nature, which means conscious use of landscape. The most adequate land use can be carried out by the principles of environmental management and the sustainable development. This study tries to specify the present state of the landscape ecology of the researched area and gives some help for the nature conservation and landscape planning in handling the main guidelines in the future. Our aim is to introduce some problems of the land use by geoecological methods. There is a possibility to enlarge the nature conservation borders by using the results of the research and the unified European network of green corridors could be established (NATURA 2000). Comparing the map of actual and limited land use we can determine all those suggested interventions, which will help to form the optimal land use for the inhabitants, the agricultural organizations and the National Park.
Copyright (c) 2005 Duray Balázs, Hegedűs Zoltán https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The effects of surface cover on phosphorous distribution over the slope
Soil is one of the most important component of the landscape and thus its protection has high priority not only in environmental but in landscape and nature protection as well. Eroded soil material carries humus and important fertilizers from our arable lands. 9 kg*ha-1*y-1 N, 5,5 kg*ha-1*y-1 P and 6,6 kg*ha-1*y-1 K can be lost due to erosion and can induce problems in the soils and waters of remote areas. Our target areas were at Somogybabod, Kisbabod, Alsószuha and Galgahévíz. We examined the distribution of P2O5 and soil organic matter under different plant covers (arable land – corn, potato, cereals, vegetated fallow, alfalfa, Acacia forest and orchards), under different slope sections. Laboratory experiments were done according to the regulations at the Szent István University, Dept. of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry. It is obvious, according to the results that corn and potato can not provide necessary protection against phosphorous loss. The other plant covers have better results. Based on the results it is possible to prepare a guidebook for farmers to help them calculating the necessary amount and placing of P2O5 fertilizer and to chose the plant that provide the necessary cover to protect soils form phosphorous loss. Fertilizing with only the necessary amount of P2O5 fertilizer, it is possible to reduce the pollution of surface and subsurface waters and the inputs of arable farming. With the improvement of life quality and conditions, the viability of the landscape can be increased and thus more attractive for those, searching for a place for living.
Copyright (c) 2005 Centeri Csaba, Császár Alexandra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Erodibility measurements in the Tetves catchment using rainfall simulator
The catchment of Tetves Stream belongs to the basin of Lake Balaton. The total area of the catchment is 100,2 km2. The south border of the watershed is a valley divide, which is usual in these meridional valleys. The total length of the main bed of the stream, is 25.1 km, the flow direction is south-north. The stream reaches the Lake next to the eastern part of Balatonlelle. The elevation of the watershed is between 105 and 302 m above sea level. The upper part has high relief energy and several gullies, while the lower part is flat. Within the research four standardized plots were established to measure the erosion under natural rainfall events. The influence of fluctuation of the annual precipitation can be reduced with the increasing period of measurement. The soil protection role of different agrotechnics and plant cover can be measured as well because of the four plots and the relatively long period of investigation. The data of erodibility from this project are peculiar to the investigated soil, slope angle and shape, plant cover etc. To extend the validity of these data the authors tried to find a method, which can be used in any combination of the environmental factors, is fast and the results are comparable. Rainfall simulation is suitable for these requirements, and can be used almost anywhere, where the steepness of the slope is not higher than 30%, and the vegetation does not exceed the height of 3 m. With this method the investigated precipitation event can be repeated anywhere and anytime, that is why the results are comparable. This paper reports, whether the application of this method is suitable in this case. In the study the Pannon-R02 rainfall simulator was used.
Copyright (c) 2005 Jakab Gergely, Szalai Zoltán https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Detailed vegetation mapping in the Belső-Őrség region (Western Hungary)
The vegetation was mapped in fine detail in the Belső-Őrség region (Western Hungary) at five localities where habitats had been preserved in a close-to-natural state and also support high species richness. Our aims were the precise documentation of the current status of vegetation and 2) the study of ongoing successional processes. This report gives a general description of the areas investigated, the summary of methods used for the preparation of the eight-section-sized vegetation map and for the mapping of populations of protected plant species. The vegetation units distinguished are also characterized in detail.
Copyright (c) 2004 Tóth Zoltán, Szurdoki Erzsébet https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Meteorology in service for landscape ecology
Landscape ecology has always been a multidisciplinary science. The quality of the researches is determined not only by the complex and special approaches but by the punctuality of the special approach and the proper scientifical methods. It is true in case of meteorology, too. In the present work we would like to give an overview in this correlation
Copyright (c) 2004 Loksa Gábor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Overview and ecological inundation plan of the Tóvár Landscape Protection District
The target area has special conservation value and increased threat of inland inundations in our small landscape unit of Bereg. The significant inland inundations of last years called public’s attention. After these inundations there were possibilities to apply for funds in ministries to solve the same and similar inland inundation problems. The problem of inland inundation might be solved by the result of these tenders but the protection of conservation values remained in the background. The present work would like to call attention on the importance of the cooperation between nature protection and water management. In order to solve the ecological problems of the Ukrainian Tóvár Landscape Protection District I suggest an ecological inundation plan. It would cease the cause of disappearance of birds and plants and to make a chance for the reintroduction of these species. The ecological inundation plan was based on the network of the Bereg inland water system and on the methods of integrated water management.
Copyright (c) 2004 Kállai Szabolcs https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0