Nature protection and biodiversity - State and impacts (Hungary)

Environmental conditions and the state of the ecological values are on the one hand closely related to the clearing of woodlands over thousands of years and to the major water drainage works of earlier centuries (See MAP A). On the other hand, recent social and economic processes have also had impacts on the Hungarian landscape.

In Hungary - like in other countries - changes in land use, exploitation of natural resources, and the increasing environmental pressures have led to fragmentation, partial destruction and degradation of natural habitats.

Regarding the conservation status of our 46 habitat types listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive and that of the 211 species of EU importance, 11 % and 25 % respectively are in a favourable conservation status (according to an evaluation made in 2007, in line with the EU criteria). The most vulnerable habitats are floodplains, other wetlands, forests and open grasslands. Appearance and spread of invasive species are of major concern. (See Box 1)

As a result of nature conservation measures, natural and semi-natural habitats of high ecological value (according to the National Ecological Network survey) still make up more than 30 % of the territory of the country. Maintaining this favourable ratio is a priority for nature conservation.

In total, there are 86 habitat types and thousands of plant and animal species, the majority of which are endemic, relict species or associations. A number of special 'Pannonian' habitats occur only in this area (See Box 2). Recognition and mapping of the habitat types and sound evaluation of the natural vegetation heritage was conducted in the framework of the MÉTA programme (Landscape Ecological Vegetation Database and Map of Hungary) (See Box 3).

Highland and lowland forests predominantly consisting of deciduous species form an important part of the natural heritage. Due to the national afforestation programme, the forest area has grown gradually during the last decades. The aspects of sustainability and ecology have gained importance in forest management. (Afforestration entailed the appearance of some alien trees, yet on the whole, the proportion of forest area covered by native tree species has grown). By 2009 forest land amounted to 20.6 %.

Figure 1. Changes in forest area, Afforestration

Source: Central Agricultural Office, Directorate of Forestry

Rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes facilitate the improvement of the ecological status of wetlands and the restoration of former wetlands. Taking into account the expected impacts of climate change, these programmes are to be continued. Likewise, protection and maintenance of grasslands (e.g. lowland sand and loess grasslands) require special attention.

At present 720 plant, 35 fungi, 8 lichen, 995 animal species together with 6 anthills are protected by national law (See Box 4)

The conservation of the genetic diversity of crops and livestock is also a high priority (in order to protect the countryside and help adapting to climate change) and is promoted by governmental programmes.

The country is also rich in abiotic natural formations. Rock formations of different geological eras, rare minerals, fossils and caves are of special value. Caves, springs, mires, sinkholes, alkaline lakes, kurgans (burial mounds) and earth fortifications are ex lege protected natural areas in Hungary. (See Box 5)

National protected areas have expanded by around 30 000 hectares since 2000 (now this territory makes up 9.1 % of the country). The Natura 2000 sites, designated according to the EU nature conservation guidelines, cover approximately 22 % of the territory of Hungary, where nature conservation aspects are of high priority. (See Box 6)

Map 2. nature protection areas in hungary (national protection and natura 2000)

Source: MoRD, NEIS/NCIS

Further details and maps regarding protected areas: http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/protected-areas

http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/_user/downloads/publikaciok/FACTS%20%26%20FIGURES%20OF%20PROTECTED%20SITES%20IN%20HUNGARY.pdf  and Box 6

In addition to national protection and the Natura 2000 network, a number of protected areas serve the conservation of the world's natural heritage as they are protected also as part of international conservation conventions and programmes, such as

·        28 Ramsar sites (an area of 233 000 hectares), wetlands of international importance http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/ramsari-egyezmeny

·        Three European Diploma holding areas (with 2371 hectares) http://ipolytarnoc.kvvm.hu/index.php?p=en_home http://www.szenas.hu/english/index.htm http://www.bfnp.hu/english/pages/european_diploma

·        Five UNESCO MAB biosphere reserves (plus one waiting for favorable UNESCO decision: the Hungarian-Croatian Mura-Drava-Danube Trans-Boundary Biosphere Reserve ), http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/index.php?pg=menu_2051

·        and eight UNESCO World Heritage sites (and further four areas of nature protection importance expected to be part of the World Heritage http://www.vilagorokseg.hu/menu3.html

MAP 3: International protected areas

 

Source: MoRD, NEIS, NCIS

Further information, maps, background materials: http://www.kvvm.hu/index.php?lang=2, http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/index.php?lang=en , http://geo.kvvm.hu/tir_en/viewer.htm

http://www.obki.hu/en/index.shtml , http://www.obki.hu/en/research/areas.shtml

http://www.obki.hu/en/research/project.shtml

Map A: Waterlogged areas of the carpathian basin before the great water-works

Box 4.                    

TABLE A: Protected  natural assets in Hungary ( As of  31/12/2009)

TABLE B: Changes in the main data of Natural areas protected by National  law