Nature protection and biodiversity - Why care? (Hungary)

The unique geographical features of Hungary – the Carpathian Basin surrounded by mountains – its climate, its hydrological characteristics and topographic and lithologic diversity allowed the evolution of diverse landscapes and an extremely rich flora and fauna.

The country – located in the middle of the Carpathian Basin - constitutes a specific ecological unit, making up a substantial part of the Pannonian biogeographical region, one out of the nine biogeographical regions of the European Union. The region is connected, inter alia, to the flora of the Carpathians, the Eastern Alps and the West Balkans (See map 1). This poses a challenge and puts major responsibility on Hungary* to maintain these natural assets and facilitate the continued connection with the surrounding biogeographical regions.

Natural habitats, as well as genetic resources of the wild flora and fauna in the country, show a high level of diversity. Around 2 800 different vascular plant species (2 300 native), and 43 000 animal species in Hungary have been observed. Owing to the long-lasting geographical isolation of the Carpathian Basin, there is also a high abundance of endemic species. Their proportion is extremely high (10-30 %) within some invertebrate groups, and as regards plants, 2 % of the Hungarian flora can be found exclusively in the Carpathian Basin.

Biodiversity – including agrobiodiversity and cultural landscapes – is an exceptional opportunity for sustainable social and economic development. At the same time, special attention should be paid to the expectedly significant regional impacts of climate change, leading to a higher vulnerability of the natural flora and fauna and the ecosystem services.

Map 1. Biogeographical Regions in Europe

Source: UNEP/GRID

*in cooperation with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, having a smaller proportion of the Pannon biogeographical region