Dry Grassland Management in the Area of Máriahalom Natura 2000
Publication date: 2019.01.16
Within the framework of the tender No. LIFE12NAT/HU/001028 entitled “Conservation of Dry Grasslands in Central Hungary”, the habitat restoration works are ongoing in 9 xenotherm project areas.
Natura 2000 Network
Starting with Hungary’s accession to the European
Union, the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive became binding to
Hungary. Accordingly, Hungary was mandated to establish the areas forming part
of Natura 2000 network to protect the community-wise significant, natural
habitats, along with the animal- and plant species living in Hungary.
In addition to the natural characteristics, in many cases, the advantageous
conservation conditions of the EU-wise significant habitat types and species
(so called marking habitats and species) were established and preserved until
today by farming. In the Natura 2000 areas, instead of a reservation-like
protection, harmonization of the social, cultural, economic and conservation
values is emphasized, wherein preservation of the traditional farming methods
and provision of the conditions of a sustainable farming plays a special role.
For the Natura 2000 network area, a so called Natura 2000 maintenance plan is
drafted, detailing the conservation values and objectives of each area, and
laying down rules to sustain natural values.
It’s important to note that these plans are not mandatory, they are not
enforced, and violations are not sanctioned. However, for environment-protection
experts, these are essential documents, as they contain specific information
for each area, along with management suggestions based on the specific
habitats. For the most part of Natura 2000 areas, the maintenance plan has been
completed, and the remaining maintenance plans are also foreseen for the near
future. The completed maintenance plans are available on the official website
of the State Nature Conservation (www.termeszetvedelem.hu).
Works Completed in the Tender
One of the dry grassland LIFE tender’s project areas is located within the
administrational territory of Máriahalom and Gyermely, stretching across the
Epöl Sarmatian Area, a special significance conservation area. This area is
adjacent to 8 towns in Komárom-Esztergom county, and it was named after a
Sarmatian-era limestone, which emerged 13-16 million years ago.
The project area is home to several marking dry grass habitat types, and
associated with these, two marking species, namely populations of echium
maculatum and pulsatilla.
One of the primary objectives of the Natura 2000 program regarding the area was
the preservation and development of the natural species and structure of
marking dry grasslands. From the aspect of management of the area, the most
important task is to suppress and transform the closed bushes already widely
present, as these emerged in the place of formerly pastural steppes. Replacing
populations of alien tree species with indigenous species, and suppression of
invasive species in the grasslands would also be a priority. The plan also
covers closure of roads in the Nature 2000 areas to eliminate the use of
terrain motorcycles and quads damaging grass. Such closure would subject entry
to a permission. The area is traditionally used by hang-gliders as a starting
position. To avoid conflicts, establishing the exact starting point and
appointment of responsible persons is paramount. Designating horse-carriage and
bicycle tracks is only possible on existing dirt roads with a plot number.
To achieve the above goals, we suppress bushes in about 6.5 hectares, primarily
hawthorns, blackthorns, privets, cornus sanguinea and eglantines to allow for
the extension of xerotherms. On top of this, we eliminate invasive species
(primarily acacia) on about 4 hectares.
Andrea Schrett
Project Manager
Conservation of dry grasslands in Central-Hungary
Interval: 2017.07.02 - 2020.08.31
Completed
In the framework of this 5-year-long project – started in September 2013 – Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate (DINPD) is directly aiming at the protection of the following priority habitat types: Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands (6240), pannonic loess steppic grasslands (6250) and Pannonic sand steppes (6260).
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