The 1,494-hectare wetland has been under the scope of the Ramsar Convention since 1997.
The Rétszilasi Lakes are the southernmost and also one of the most significant members of the ecological green corridor formed in the Sárvíz Valley. It plays an important role in terms of the nesting of water-related birds, but perhaps even more important during the migration of water birds. Originally, approximately two-thirds of Mezőföld could be covered by forested steppe and closed forest. Probably, the natural afforestation process that started after the steppe phase was already influenced by anthropogenic influences. II. In József's time, Mezőföld had barely more forests than today.
Thanks to the area's good water supply, even today, plant communities that primarily prefer wetlands can live here. From a nature conservation point of view, the larger Siki sedge and white-tip meadows are considered valuable. In addition to these plant associations, several protected plants can be found here. Among them, the valuable orchid stock should be highlighted. The population of 10-1000 individuals of varying sizes of the 4 species of rams found so far and the population of the highly protected spider bungo are a serious natural value.
Based on the data collected over many years, it can be concluded that the area's birdlife is extremely rich. So far, 200 bird species have been described, which is about 75% of the total number of species that have been proven to occur in Hungary so far, and as such, represents a very serious ornithological value.
Looking at the species list, it can be seen that 181 of these 200 species are protected, and 32 species fall into the highly protected category. It is a special pleasure that most of the protected species - 94 in number - also nest in the area.