Fig. 1

Kiskunság (Fig. 1) occupies a major portion of the great Hungarian Plain, embraced by the two main rivers of the Carpathian Basin, the Danube and the Tisza. Its low- humus and chernozem-like sandy soils, in many places heavily affected by ground-water and salt, as well as its temperate climate with continental and Mediterranean features, make it on eof Hungary's most biodiversity-rich areas. It hosts a wide variety of habitats, from the alkaline steppes, through temporary or permanent alkaline lakes, to sand dunes ans dandy woods, marshes and bog meadows, as well as backwaters, gallery forests and vast reed-beds.

Kiskunság is home to over 1300 flowering plants and 9000 animal species. Flora and fauna are not only species-rich, but als unique, with an outstanding number of endemisms.

A national park was created in 1975 on 53.000 hectares in order to conserve the region's natural values. The high diversity of habitats and species in the region make the Kiskunság an ideal place for biodiversity research, and as a result there are a number of plots for integrated biodiversity observation (Fig. 2)

Fig. 2 Research squares

     Fig. 3 Typical landscape in the Kiskunság sand area

Historical landscape and vegetation change at Fülöpháza Biodiversity Monitoring Site (HBMS)

Landscape changes of the last 200 years in the Kiskunság Sand Region were studied in a biodiversity monitoring site (5*5 km) near Fülöpháza LTER site. During the vegetation reconstructions historical maps were refined and reinterpreted. These reconstructed habitat maps are more detailed than the original historical maps, so they can be both spatially and quantitavely compared to the maps of the actual vegetation.

 Programme for the Protection of the Great Bustard in Hungary

The Hungarian population of the great bustard (left) has decreased dramatically over the last 40 years: from more than 8500 in 1941 to between 1100 and 1300 individuals in 1988. The project will focus on habitat conservation measures in 9 areas. Some land will be purchased at key locations, display and wintering grounds, area managed to create favourable habitats with good all year round feeding opportunities. The project will undertake actions to reduce key factors of mortality, through the establishment of a national network of regional field officers, in charge of loacating and safeguardin,g nests by removing dangerous sections of power lines.

Establishing the background of saving the Hungarian meadow viper from extinction

The conservation project of the small venomous meadow viper (left) covers 95% of the global population of this species in Hungary. Over the last 50 years this animal has disappeared from Austria, Romania and Bulgaria.  Its dramatic decline is due to increasing agricultural pressures and a shift towards intensive cultivation. In Hungary only small and isolated populations remain: 450-500 individuals maximum.

The LIFE project focuses on the following conservation actions: grasslands reconstruction on formerly seized habitats, creation and operation of a "Hungarian meadow viper Conservation Centre", monitoring and related studies; and awareness activities.

Conservation of the Pannon endemic Dianthus diutinus

Dianthus diutinus - a long-lasting pink (left) can only be found in the area between the Danube and the Tisza, and is considered a sub-endemic and extremely rare species. The majority of its known habitats have been recently afforested. Its natural habitats are open patchworks of grassland and scattered stands of forest (native juniper and poplar species) - most plants can be found on grassland areas.

The project aims to stabilise 85% of the presently known stands of yje Pannonic endemic long-lasting pink. It aims to create and maitain a semi-natural habitat network by enlarging and joining the present habitats at the three most important sites.

Informing the public about how important these habitats are, will defintely improve the chances of survivla of this species.

Conservation of Falco vespertinus in the Pannonian region 

The red-footed falcon (left) is a threatened species in Hungary and Romania, two countries that together contain 90% of the total red-footed Falcon European population.

Population has decreased from almost 3200 breeding pairs in 1990 to roughly 925 known breeding pairs in 2003. This project will focus on securing the current nesting sites and increasing the number of potential nesting sites by installing nest boxes. Dangerous electric pylons will be insulated to decrease the number of mortalities.

Conservation of the saker falcon in the Carpathian bassin 

The saker falcon (left) is a very rare and threatened species in Europe.The totoal European breeding population consists of hardly 450 pairs. The overall population has declined over 20% during the last 10 years. Main factors thought to affect this decline are (although there is no certainty):

• loss and degradation of natural nest sites
• degration of feed habitat and loss of food resources
• increased mortatlity caused by electrocution and hunting
• reduced breeding success caused by collapsing nests
• human disturbance
• increased mortality on migration route and winter grounds

The project's main objective is to identify the main reasons for teh European decline of the species and to create favourable conditions for stabilisation on short term.