Reviving of natural networks in Hungary

Abstract

In the area of Hanság due to the intensive drainage works of the last hundred years the enchanted aquatic world and marshland almost disappeared. The habitat restoration works of the last years and the future plans of the National Park and co-operation of local stakeholders can contribute to the revival of the formal biodiversity and enhancement of ecotourism potential of the backward region.
The region of Hanság is characterized mostly by rural areas encompassing micro-villages. The Hanság is situated in the Small-Plain in Western-Hungary, between the great centers of County Győr-Moson-Sopron. The lack of a real centre determines the position of the region. Due to the increasing regulation works the marshlands were drained, almost completely disappeared the former wetlands, the enchanting aquatic world. The remained awash meadows, wetlands, forests of Hanság, are protected as part of The Fertő-Hanság National Park. Due to the latest habitat rehabilitation programs in the Hanság nowadays we can find again open water surfaces, for this is a wonderful example the Nyirkai-Hany. About 400 ha area of Nyirkai Hany–Keleti Mór grasslands were flooded in 2001. Due to the good experiences the National Park Directorate elaborated a new rehabilitation program of a greater scale to flood 1322 ha in Osli-Hany. The stakeholders of Hanság still has not recorgnized the potentials of landscape resources which was also hinedered by the nowadays changing closed attitude of the National Park Fertő-Hanság. According to former social survey, it became clear that it is important to use the means of landscape architecture as well for broadening the possibilities of recreation and raise attention of local people on the landscape values.
We examined the landscape history, the changing land use system and the existing landscape values of the area. On the basis of the analysis of existing low traffic road system which are most suitable for cycling and the landscape conditions and values we elaborated a greenway system in the area while using the means of landscape planning to enhance the traditional characteristic landscape elements as forest belts, woods and characteristic vegetation along the water-courses, meadows.
In the last years there is a greater attention and interest from the side of the inhabitants in the direction of natural resources, protected areas. In the case of Hanság the Directorate of National Park Fertő-Hanság has an outstanding role. The growing dynamics of co-operation among settlements and the National Park and other stakeholders of the region can result in enhancement of competitiveness and life quality. The revival of the former habitats and exhibitions of landscape history and the promotion of landscape values through their connection in the frame of greenways leading through characteristic landscape elements will contribute the development of tourism (mostly ecotourism) potential of the region and promote local identity.