Download Biosphere Reserves in Hungary

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BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN HUNGARY
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Biosphere Reserves in Hungary
The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme is owned by the UNESCO
The MAB programme was launched in the early 1970s, proposes an inter-
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves covers internationally designated
as an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme aiming to set a scientific
disciplinary research agenda and capacity building that target the ecolog-
protected areas, that are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship
basis for the improvement of the relationships between people and their
ical, social and economic dimensions of biodiversity loss and the reduc-
between people and nature.
environment globally, paying high attention to sustainability.
tion of this loss.
Aggtelek Biosphere Reserve ‘1979
• the most typical karstic area in Hungary;
• the registered number of caves is more than 280, the Baradla Cave is the longest active stalactite and stalagmite cave system in the temperate climate zone;
• open karst hillsides, springs, streams, dolinas, ponds;
• animal husbandry, forestry and tourism are the main activities of the local people;
• extremely diverse habitats were developed due to microclimatic peculiarities and its location in phytogeographical frontier zone;
• due to its geological location outstanding diversity of endangered plant
and animal species live in the area, some of them live only here in the
whole world.
Hortobágy Biosphere Reserve ‘1979
• a vast flat edaphic steppe landscape;
• endless distances, bowing sweep wells, mirage;
• grass alkaline steppes, marshes, fishponds, small patches of wood and
tree-plantations;
• nomadic pastoral societies populated the area during the last four
thousand years;
• the open character is suitable for extensive grazing;
• traditional farming with traditional livestock like Hungarian grey cattle, racka
sheep, mangalica pig etc.
• environmental education, tourism, research;
• the most important bird migration site in the Carpathian Basin, more than
345 bird species (out of 700 in Europe) have been observed here.
Lake Fertő Biosphere Reserve ‘1979
• alkaline steppes with temporary wetlands;
• extensive grazing by traditional herds;
• large reed vegetation with inner lakes and open water habitats, controlled
reed harvest;
• traditional vineyards, hunting, fishing;
• diverse cultural events in the region;
• historical and prehistorical human settlements;
• castles of aristocrats (Széchenyi: Nagycenk, Esterházy: Fertőd), artists,
musicians (Haydn);
• environmental education, tourism, research
• endangered endemic plant species live in the area with continental, balkan,
pontic-mediterranean, mediterranean elements;
• extremely rich bird (breeding and migratory birds), unique butterfly and fish fauna.
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Biosphere Reserves in Hungary
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Aggtelek Biosphere Reserve
Lake Fertő Biosphere Reserve
Pilis Biosphere Reserve
Hortobágy Biosphere Reserve
Kiskunság Biosphere Reserve
Mura-Drava-Danube
Transboundary Biosphere
Reserve
Edited by:
Ministry of Rural Development
Department of Nature Conservation
2013
Stateborder
Biosphere Reserves
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200 km
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Pilis Biosphere Reserve ’1980
• limestone karst formations, springs, 334 caves;
• forestry, hunting and tourism are the main activities;
• the BR is managed in cooperation with the Pilis Park Forestry Company and
the National Park Directorate;
• sample areas for sustainable forest management;
• picturesque landscape views to the Danube Bend;
• Pilis offers excellent facilities to escape from the polluted air of Budapest, so
it is one of the most popular target location for excursions from the capital;
• nature trails, environmental education programs;
• first forest school in Hungary was established here;
• active sports (climbing, bike etc.).
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Kiskunság Biosphere Reserve ‘1979
• drifting sand dune region formed by two rivers;
• typical lowland area consisting of wetlands (flooded and marshy
areas, salt-affected temporary wetlands, alkaline lakes), sand dunes
and alkaline plains;
• diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitat mosaics;
• agriculture (animal husbandry with traditional species, arable lands, grasslands), reed harvesting and collecting of medical plants are the main activities of the local people;
• tourism, bird-watching, environmental education;
• more than 85.000 insect, 260 bird, 79 mollusc, 48 mammal, 32 fish, 11 amphibian and 10 reptile species have been observed here.
Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary Biosphere Reserve ‘2012
• Rivers Danube, Drava and Mura played an important role in the formation
of the region’s natural landscape;
• special types of traditional management activities originated here with
unique knowledge;
• people living in the floodplain area learnt how to live together with otherwise harmful natural processes, how to make use of floods as ecosystem
service (water, fish, fertile mud, forest etc.);
• animal husbandry, forestry, tourism (canoeing etc.);
• local product festivals, famous folk events (Busójárás as end-of-winter carnival by the Sokac minority);
• willow-poplar and elm-ash-oak woodlands are the most important vegetation units along the rivers, beside the rivers themselves many oxbows
and sidearms have formed which also host unique aquatic habitats.
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