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• Conservation survey of horse pastures and hayfields in an equestrian centre near Sukoro

  37-46

  Barna Molnar

  Csongor Rednagel

  Ildiko T-Jardi

  Views:

  51

  The test was carried out in Sukoró, on the lawns of the Sukoró Equestrian Center in May 2023. The purpose of the survey was to present the natural state and economic value of grasslands with different uses. The ceenological surveys were carried out using the Braun-Blanquet method, during which we recorded the data using 2x2 meter squares and gave the cover values in %. The squares were placed randomly in the given areas. During the survey, we analyzed five sample areas in three units. Our sample area I. is degraded fresh grassland, which was a horse pasture that was overgrazed in 2023, II. the sample area was a meadow dominated by sedge, which is utilized by mowing. The III. the sample area is Siki lawn dominated by Festuca pseudovina, which was also mowed. The IV. the deepest part of the mowing area, marsh meadow-fen, which is also used as a mowing area. Sample area V is silicate rock grassland, which is also grazed by horses, but was left alone in 2023.

  With the exception of sample area I, which was intensively grazed in 2023, and therefore overgrazed by trampling, based on the tests, the natural state of the lawns remained valuable even after treatments, mowing and grazing. In the lawns, the largest proportion of elements of the native flora can be found. In the deeper spot on the mowing field, bog elements and the protected species Anacampts pyramidalis also appeared. A protected species, Allium sphaerocephalon, also occurred in the silicate rock lawn. The lawn management methods carried out by the riding center are suitable for maintaining the area's vegetation in a close-to-nature and long-term manner.

• Data on botanical and animal feeding investigations of a sheep pasture in Káli Basin with special reference to nature reservation

  51-58

  Karoly Penksza

  Julianna Tasi

  Gabor Szabo

  Zita Zimmermann

  Szilard Szentes

  Views:

  118

  Sample grassland sites were investigated in Kővágóőrs (Káli Basin, Balaton Upland National Park, Hungary). The sample quadrates were designated in the following places: close to (0-100 metres) and away (250-500 metres) from the stable. Comparative coenological studies, forage values were investigated. Changes of species composition and ground cover, measure of possible regeneration or degradation were evaluated. It was examined how important grasses and pulses appeared or disappeared, how did the number of over-grazing tolerant species changed and how did the species composition influenced the nutritive value of the grassland. Results proved that among the plants there are either weeds poisonous and/or protected species, as well. Based on the results the characteristics of the examined grassland show the effects of grazing. According to results, observed grasslands have unfavourable species composition due to improper management practices and insufficient technological conditions.

• Studies on botany, forage and soils with aspects of nature conservation on grey cattle and water buffalo pastures of the Tapolcai and Káli basins: Papers of the „Challenges and Aspects in Grassland Management” conference held on 22-23 May 2008.

  47-53

  Karoly Penksza

  Julianna Tasi

  Szilard Szentes

  Csaba Centeri

  Views:

  154

  In the present work we introduce the coenological and pedological results of examination on the Balaton Upland (Badacsonytördemic, Csobánc, Káptalantóti and Kővágóőrs). Grass management plays an important role in nature conservation, rural development thus in the viability of rural population. Soil and water suffer from extreme degradation and pollution, partly because of agricultural activities, growing settlements and mining activity. We evaluated the changes in species composition and coverage, the possibly occurring regeneration or degradation and the effects of botanical composition changes on forage values, especially in case of economically valuable species. Investigations show strengths and weaknesses of having animals on grasslands. Sample sites were in Balaton Upland National Park, Hungary. Results proved that among the plants there are either weeds and/or poisonous and/or prickly species, too. We examined how important grasses and pulses appeared or disappeared, how did the number of overgrazing tolerant species changed and how did the species composition of the grazed and non-grazed land differed. Based on the results the characteristics of the examined pastures show the effects of overgrazing. With the decrease of the number of the animals, nature conservation and economical values could be increased. The examined areas had totally different soil characteristics, pH, soil thickness and nutrient content varied greatly. In the Gyulakeszi area even a small catena was found on a single pasture. The high soil organic matter and nutrient content ensure the good grass yield thus the areas are suitable for grazing and for grass cutting, too. 

• Sandy grasslands along the Danube are dominant Content values of Festuca species (preliminary study)

  3-7

  Attila Furesz

  Ferenc Pajor

  Peter Penksza

  Laszlo Sipos

  Szilard Szentes

  Karoly Penksza

  Views:

  130

  There is a very old practice of grazing livestock in Hungary. Plants of the pastures are the most valuable feed for grazing animals. Supplementation of feed rations with fibre improves the saturation of the digestive tract, resulting in calmer animals and improved animal welfare. Grasses of pastures can be a useful supplement as they contain a lot of digestible fibre. Our purpose was to find out the grassland management values of sandy grasslands dominated by Festuca species along the Danube. We carried out cutting samples along the Danube, from the north-western part of the Little Hungarian Plain, through the sandy plains of the Carpathian Basin, Serbia, Romanian Plain to Bulgaria. The cut samples were analysed in the laboratory of MATE based on Weende analysis. The original dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre content, as well as the measurement of fibre fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL) were analysed. The results showed that absolute dry matter, crude fibre and NDF contents were high in all samples. The five samples of Festuca species analysed showed significant differences in dry matter and crude fibre. Festuca wagneri had the highest dry matter content. The highest crude protein content was found in samples of Festuca vaginata, Festuca wagnerii and Festuca rupicola, but the highest crude fibre content was found in samples of Festuca tomanii.

• The seasonal effect on the vegetation of Hungarian grey cattle pasture in 2022 and 2023 - A case study

  29-36

  Eszter Kovespataki

  Ildiko Turcsanyi-Jardi

  Barnabas Wichmann

  Eszter Salata-Falusi

  Views:

  61

  The "Szűzföld" area, managed by the Pro Vértes Public Foundation, has been managed for nature conservation and economic grazing since 1998 with Hungarian grey cattle. In the present work the vegetation data of the pasture were analysed for the years 2022-2023, in order to investigate the effect of the weather conditions in an extremely dry year (2022) and an extremely wet year (2023) using 2 × 2 m coenological records. To analyse the ecological indicators of species, we used Borhidi's relative plant ecological indicators: relative nitrogen demand (NB) and relative soil water and soil moisture (WB) scores. We also assessed the data according to Simon's conservation value categories (TVK) and Borhidi's social behaviour types (SBT). The grassland management assessment of the vegetation was based on the forage value scores of the species used by Klapp et al.

  The results showed no significant differences in species in the two years, but significant differences in cover values. In the year with rainfall, the proportion of accompanying species decreased, while the proportion of weeds and natural disturbance tolerant species increased. The amount of grasses and legumes increased, which are important for grassland management.

• Effects of ceasing mowing and grazing on the vegetation of wet grasslands of Badacsonytördemic

  23-32

  Ildiko Turcsanyi-Jardi

  Tunde Szabo-Szolosi

  Nikolett Csukas

  Views:

  164

  During the work we examined the vegetation of a wet area near Badacsonytördemic. The grassland has been mowed and grazed intensively by Hungarian grey cattle until 2010, and it was abandoned afterwards. We surveyed three sample areas: the continuously grazed pasture, the mowed grassland and the additional pasture, which was grazed for one month each year.
  Records were made in June 2010 and 2020. We utilized 4×4 m quadrats, and gave the cover of species in percent. Relative nitrogen values (NB), soil moisture values (WB), Social Behaviour Types according to Borhidi, nature conservation values (TVK) according to Simon were also used.
  Based on the results, the vegetation of the area degraded greatly in ten years, its diverse nature disappeared, weeds and invasive species became dominant and species with good foraging value declined. No aggressive competitors were found in 2007, but Solidago gigantea appeared with great cover by 2020. In addition, many weed species appeared, and the ones which were already present in 2010, have increased their cover. Cirsium arvense was a newly appearing weed. Dead biomass also increased greatly.
  To avoid further degradation, we suggest to reintroduce the management to these areas again. To set back weeds and invasive species, regular mowing would be efficient. It would be important to carefully set the date of mowing so that it prevents the spreading of seeds. Mowed plants must be removed from the area as soon as possible.

• Investigation of early season phytoproduction in sheep pastures

  3-7

  Istvan Csizi

  Krisztina Varga

  Views:

  131

  In the droughty spring of 2021, we investigated the rate of phytoproduction development in extensive grassland plots with solonyec soil conditions from the perspective of sheep grazing. During the empirical time interval of the start of potential sheep grazing, data were recorded on a total of 7 occasions at 6 different sites registered under one parcel number. Our results showed that the highest soil moisture values during the study period were measured in the fallow grassland, while the highest soil temperature values were measured in the grassland used as enclosed pasture. Plant height values were highest in the fallow grassland and in the grassland of the pasture forest. The lowest plant height was recorded in the enclosed pasture, although the highest nutrient availability was also measured here.

• Degradation degree evolution under different grassland management

  35-44

  Krisztina Varga

  Istvan Csizi

  Views:

  121

  The objective of this manuscript is to clarify the changes in vegetation structure of an extensively managed grassland association under different land use practices. In the grasslands of the Hungarian Great Plain, the westernmost part of the Eurasian steppe, the largely decreasing grazing livestock numbers and the almost disappearing pastoral grazing make the topic very topical. We analysed the last 4 years of the study period 2009-2020 and found that the lowest degradation rates were measured in the meadow utilisation management, with values ranging from 0.277-0.463 in the 11th year of the experiment. And the highest degradation values were measured in the treatment with the overgrazing mode, with degradation degrees 3.43-5.0 in the 11th year of the experiment. In the treatment demonstrating the effect of overgrazing, we measured a high increase in the cover value of the weed Hordenum murinum, which is very dangerous for sheep, between 2017 and 2020, with an average of 107.6%.

• EGF 2024 – 30th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation

  43-45

  Andras Halasz

  Views:

  53

  Harmincadik alkalommal került megrendezésre az Európai Gyepgazdálkodási Szövetség (European Grassland Federation) nemzetközi konferenciája (30th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation), 2024. június 9-13. között, ezúttal a hollandiai Leeuwarden-ben.
  Idén a rendezvény szervezői a gyepek általános szerepére, fontosságára és ökoszisztéma szolgáltatásaira helyezték a hangsúlyt (Why Grasslands?). A résztvevők arra keresték a választ, hogy milyen jövő előtt áll a legeltetéses állattartás, illetve milyen egyéb szerepe lehet még a gyepeknek Európában.
  A szakmai program a legeltetéses állattartással érintett résztvevők műhelymunkájával (Grazing Workshop) indult a konferenciát megelőző napon, amely öt fő területre fókuszált:

  • Állategészségügy, állatjóllét
  • Ráfordítás csökkentés
  • Szennyezés ill. kibocsátás csökkentés
  • Biodiverzitás megőrzése
  • Biodiverzitás növelése

• Recent points of fertilization, plant protection, grazing and food safety on grasslands

  71-76

  Gyorgy Burges

  Balint Nagy

  Zsolt Varga

  Geza Fischl

  Views:

  93

  The purpose of Hungarian rangelands is looked upon in many different ways in our changing world. Environmentalists view the problem from an ecology centered point of view, while economists from an economy centered one. The third approach prefers a kind of rangeland management which can meet all expectations. Grassland and pasture management should be carried out in accordance with operative veterinary, phytosanitary, human and food safety regulations. An internationally acknowledged code includes all principles associated with these regulations. Food production will certainly gain greater significance, resulting in growing interest in rangeland management in the near future. Thus methods listed in this article should be kept in sight. 

• Some new aspects in the evaluation of grazing animal production

  41-46

  Geza Nagy

  Views:

  96

  The first part of this review papers presents the history of tall fescue endophyte toxicosis, which used to be a real constraint on grazing beef industry in southern US. The second part reviews some up-dated scientific publications, dealing with vitamins, fats and fatty acids in grass, grass products as well as in animal products produced on these feedstuffs. The papers cited prove that inclusion of grass or conserved (hay, silage) grass in the diets for cattles (beef and dairy) pigs or poultry (broiler chicken and leying han):

  - reduces the fat content of the body
  - improves some vitamin contents of animal products (milk, butter, meat, eggs)
  - improves the unsaturated fatty acid contents of the same animal products.

  The consumption of these high quality animal products consequently may contribute to better human health status of consumers. 

• The role of haphazardly executed conservation treatments in the preservation of botanical values on the shore of Lake Balaton

  21-23

  Bence Fulop

  Balint Pacsai

  Judit Bodis

  Views:

  85

  Most semi-natural habitats in Europe have been traditionally maintained by grazing or mowing, which halted successional changes and preserved biodiversity on a higher level. Since the 1950s the large-scale mechanisation of agriculture resulted in expansion of cropland and the abandonment of grasslands became an increasing issue in Europe. Recognizing the negative consequences of abandonment in the diversity of wildlife, habitat reconstruction interventions for mainly nature conservation purposes began in the 1980s to preserve the biodiversity of these semi-natural habitats. 

• Study on the changes of vegetation composition of the wood pasture near Cserépfalu, Hungary

  43-45

  Karoly Penksza

  Denes Salata

  Views:

  152

  The wood-pastures were important elements of the landscape, moreover had apprecieable act in the agriculture. This type of management belongs to the ’agroforestry’ systems which are really ancient agricultural land uses, but nowadays endangered woody habitats in Hungary. The aim of our study was to collect, data about the appearance and traceability of different factors on the vegetation at different parts of a wood pasture.

• Investigation of carbon dioxide emissions from underutilized grassland

  15-25

  Krisztina Varga

  István Csizi

  Views:

  268

  Climate change-induced extreme changes are making phytomass yields of extensive grasslands in continental areas increasingly dependent on the season. This situation is exacerbated, inter alia, by the decline in grazing livestock production due to a lack of quality labour, and thus by an increase in the proportion of unused or under-utilised grassland. In our experiments, we have refined the effects of a decade of zero, mulch, mowing and meadow utilisation on carbon emissions, soil moisture and soil temperature during two different types of years. We found that zero tillage with accumulated duff in the absence of utilization had the highest carbon dioxide emission values in different years, even at lower soil moisture values. Our results confirm the fact that fallow grasslands can be considered a source of risk due to their increased greenhouse gas emissions.

• Possibilities of restoration of natural or seminatural grasslands: Papers of the „Challenges and Aspects in Grassland Management” conference held on 22-23 May 2008.

  19-27

  Andras Horvath

  Laszlo Szeman

  Sandor Bartha

  Klara Viragh

  Janos Boloni

  Gyula Fulop

  Szilvia Rev

  Views:

  97

  The number of natural grassland restoration projects increased in the last decade in Hungary, and probably the area of restored grasslands will be significantly extended in the next years due to New National Rural Development Program. To contribute to the success of this activity, in this paper we review the most important theoretical and practical aspects of natural grassland restoration methods. In the course of grassland restoration, habitats dominated by grasses and/or sedges have been restored in place of arable lands. In order to perform “natural” restoration, we should consider the ecological conditions of the landscape, and reconstruct natural or seminatural grasslands including of native plant species. Essentially, rehabilitation of natural landscape is supported also by creating new seminatural grassland patches. The basic principles of the natural grassland restoration are:

  1. When a spontaneous secondary succession starts to proceed on an abandoned field without invasion of any alien plant species, the re-ploughing of the abandoned field has to be ignored.

  2. Generally, the old fields surrounded by species-rich natural or seminatural grassland pathes can succesfully be restorated. Then, as a consequence of newly restored vegetation patches the recovery of the whole landscape can be accelerated. Furthermore, by restoring isolated grassland patches surrounded by arable lands a more diverse landscape pattern could be developed.

  3. Spontaneous secondary succession of grasslands should be assisted.

  4. The development of typical species composition of a seminatural grassland can be promoted by methods of spreaded hay. For successful process the hay has to be cut in a habitat type similar to ones that will be restored.

  5. Applying seed-mix for sowing can be useful to prevent spreading weeds drastically in the early stages of succession.

  6. Ideally, the seed-mix is originated from own harvesting or gathering from similar (or the same) habitats. If it is not possible, commercially available seed-mix can be applied, in which the dominant species is the same as in the restored habitat, with similar proportion.

  7. Seed-mix consists of alien species has to be avoided.

  8. If the composition or structure of the restored grassland is not appropriate after some years, the renewal of the grassland could be necessary. During the improvement process the reploughing of the restored grassland is avoided, but spreading seeds or hay, and direct sowing can be applied.

  9. The loading of nutrient is not necessary in any stages of grassland restoration.

  10. Applying chemicals is avoided; any herbicides can be used only when extensive invasion of alien plant species occurs.

  11. The mechanical intrusions on soil are also avoided.

  12. The restored grasslands is required regular or continuous management, which could be a preserving mowing or moderate grazing. The aspects of nature conservation should be considered.

• Expectable changes in the utilization of pastures: Papers of the „Challenges and Aspects in Grassland Management” conference held on 22-23 May 2008.

  9-12

  Ferenc Der

  Jozsef Stefler

  Views:

  54

  Analysing the past and the future facts and figures of the Hungarian pasture management the authors has been found the following: − In the period between 1993 and 2003 it was generally believed, that the total area of pasture will be increasing in the future. This forecasting comes not be true. − In the period between 2004 and 2008 the Hungarian pasture area decreased with 13%. We can realise decreasing in the total yield and the yield to/ha too. At the same time in the National Parks and on other protected pastures the grassland management was improved. − Analysing the estimated stock of grazing animal and the necessary pasture area the authors give the main features of the Hungarian pasture utilization in the period after 2008. 

• Prospect of extending the grazing season on tall fescue pasture

  7-12

  Marta Bajnok

  Julianna Tasi

  Views:

  72

  In Central European relation, no significant experience is available regarding the yield and quality of winter harvest pastures. The aim of our research was to collect information about the effect of pre utilisation (July, June, and August) and winter harvest date (November, December, January) on the quantity and quality of fodder The examined values were the dry matter yield, energy-, ADF-ADL and ergosterol contents of the yield. We found that: The shorter regeneration period of the between harvests resulted in lower dry matter yields, but also in higher energy concentration and lower ergosterol concentration. The yield and the energy concentration decreased whereas the ADF-ADL and ergosterol concentrations increased with the progress of winter. The fodder harvested in November produced the best results in terms of yield quantity and quality. Thus, in the experiment conducted in Festuca arundinacea stands, the highest yield and energy values were gained by harvesting in November, regardless of pre-utilisation. Despite the cold and the long-lasting snow cover, the energy values of the samples harvested in December and January showed no significant decrease. Regarding fodder quantity and quality, the weather conditions were more important than the frequency and time of harvesting Thus, under continental climate, i.e. in places like Hungary, extensive utilisation, until the end of November or the beginning of December, is recommended. 

• Effect of additional concentrate feeding on the performance of beef cattle calves during the grazing period and fattening after it

  51-54

  Heiko Scholz

  Rolf-Dieter Fahr

  Stephan Schäfer

  Jozsef Stefler

  Views:

  56

       A szerzők arra kerestek választ, hogy a húsmarhatartásban a bikaborjak kiegészítő abrakolása milyen hatással van a borjak növekedésére és a tehenek kondíciójára.
       Két egymást követő évben összesen 65 tehén + borjainak vizsgálatai alapján megállapították, hogy a kiegészítő abraketetésben részesült bikaborjak súlygyarapodása 7,4%-kal nőtt, mindehhez átlagosan 2,73 kg napi abrakfogyaszlás párosult. A választást követő hízlalásban nem volt különbség a korábban legelőn abrakolt, ill. abrak-kiegészítésben nem részesült borjak teljesítménye között.
       A borjak kiegészitö abrakolása nem befolyásolta a tehenek legeltetés alatti súlyváltozását és kondícióját. 

• Biomass of the sandy grasslands along the Danube

  31-35

  Brigitta Racz

  Attila Furesz

  Norbert Peter

  Ferenc Stilling

  Ferenc Pajor

  Views:

  136

  Festuca taxa are important grassland species in the pannonian vegetation, and are defining members of it where conditions are too extreme for most plants. Based on grassland management surveys, habitats of narrow-leaved or small Festuca species are an indicator of poor productive capacity, but are important in terms of nature conservation. The significance of these grasslands are likely to be increasing in line with climate change and expanding dry habitats.

• Az avar rövid életű keresztesvirágú (Brassicaceae) gyomfajok csírázásra gyakorolt hatása

  3-8

  Tamás Miglécz

  Views:

  64

  Recruitment by seeds is essential both in vegetation dynamics and in supporting grassland biodiversity. Recruitment by seeds is feasible in suitable microsites from the seed rain and/or by establishment from persistent soil seed banks. Cessation of grassland management by grazing or mowing results in litter accumulation, which leads to the decrease of species richness by the decreased availability of open patches. Low amounts of litter are often beneficial, while high amounts of litter are detrimental for seed germination and seedling establishment of short-lived species. However, the magnitude of these effects on germination and seedling establishment in relation to litter and seed attributes are scarcely studied. This motivated us to design an indoor experiment to explore the effects of litter on seedling establishment. We germinated six short-lived Brassicaceae species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Descurainia sophia, Erophila verna, Lepidium campestre, and Lepidium perfoliatum) with different seed mass under increasing litter cover. We found that both seed mass and litter had significant effect on germination and establishment of the sown species. Small-seeded species were significantly negatively affected by the 300 g/m2 and/or 600 g/m2 litter layers. No negative litter effect was detected for species with high seed masses (Lepidium spp.). No overall significant positive litter effect was found, although for most of the species; total seedling numbers was not the highest at the “bare soil” pots. Our results suggest that the effects of litter accumulation on the germination and establishment of short-lived species are less feasible in case of large-seeded species than on small-seeded ones.

• The Role of Grassland in EU Soil Protection Strategy

  3-15

  Gyorgy Varallyay

  Views:

  74

  The three most important life quality criteria are: healthy and good-quality food, clean water and pleasant environment. All three are closely related to the sustainable management of natural resources; conservation of soil and water resources; rational land use and landscape preservation. Soils are conditionally renewable natural resources, consequently, their rational use, conservation, and the maintenance of their multipurpose functionality have particular significance both in the national economy and environment protection. The main soil functions are: integrator (transformer) of other natural resources; most important media for biomass production; storage of heat, water, nutrients, pollutants; buffer of various natural and human-induced stresses; huge natural filter (preventing groundwater pollution); detoxication media of various harmful substances; habitat for soil biota, gene-reservoir, media of biodiversity; conservator of the natural and human heritage.

  The maintenance of these functions is the key-element of sustainable development on all levels of the decision-making process: Globe → continent → region → country → subregion → settlement → farm → field. The EU Strategy for soil protection focuses attention on 8 environmental threats, for their prevention, elimination or moderation:

  – water and wind erosion;

  – decrease in organic matter resources;

  – compaction and structure destruction;

  – soil sealing;

  – the increasing frequency, duration and degree of extreme moisture events: flood, waterlogging – drought;

  – point and non-point (diffuse) soil pollution;

  – salinization/alkalization/sodification;

  – decline in biodiversity (decreasing number and activity of soil organisms, narrowing their species spectra).

  The EU-conform Soil Conservation Strategy of Hungary was elaborated during the last decades on the basis of long-term soil survey, soil analyses, soil mapping and soil monitoring activities. It comprises three main tasks:

  – the prevention, elimination or moderation of soil degradation processes;

  – the reduction of the unfavourable economic, ecological, environmental and social consequences of extreme moisture regimes;

  – the control of the biogeochemical cycle of elements: optimum nutrient supply of plants; prevention of harmful soil pollution and contamination of the „food chain”.

  Grassland management has to play a significant role in these actions. In addition to fodder production, rational grassland management can considerably contribute to the storage, buffer, filter and gene-reservoir functions of soil, to the improvement of soil moisture regime, to the moderation of extreme moisture conditions, and to the reduction of soil losses caused by water or wind erosion. In spite of these favourable impacts grasslands (covering about 12% of Hungary) have never been in the focus of Hungarian agriculture.

  Grasslands were always restricted to marginal lands (sands, salt affected soils, peatlands, floddplains) with low and risky (highly weather-dependent) biomass production and low animal carrying capacity. Relatively productive grasslands were upturned for corn in large hilly areas (resulting serious erosion losses and landscape deterioration); the huge floodplain grasslands were used for other agricultural crops after flood control and river regulation; peatland grasslands were also considerably reduced by the drainage of these areas and used (not always successfully and efficiently) for arable crops. Huge areas became seriously degraded wastelands or „weedlnds” due to irregular grazing, lack of weed control, plant nutrition, water management. Under improper management not only the biomass production decreased considerably but the soil conservation functions of grassland were also deteriorated, sometimes dramatically. The poor and degraded grassland vegetation were not able to prevent (or at least moderate) water erosion losses in hilly areas, wind erosion losses in the dry sand regions or „over-drained” ameliorated peatlands, and even their gene-reservoir functions are sometimes threatened seriously.

  Rational grassland management is an important element of both the European and Hungarian Soil Conservation Strategy. Its scientific bases are well-known. The details have to be determined by further research and scientific programs. The existing knowledge should be broadcast using all available information channels: teaching and education on various levels; demonstrations; media programs, etc. A proper system of stimulating economy regulations should be developed and formulated in various-level legal documents. But first of all an environment-friendly moral must be developed accepting the concept of sustainable grassland management.

• Characteristics of Grassland Management in Hungary

  4-12

  Imre Vinczeffy

  Views:

  101

  For one thousand years the Hungarians kept animals on pastures and lived from animal husbandry by selling their livestock in western Europe.
  In the 19^th cebtury they began to keep animals in stalls, feeding them with monocultures grown on plough lands. The quality of their animals deteriorated in this manner, and keeping them became expensive. Some of the original pastures were broken up, others turned into woodland and only 30% remain today. Between 1975-1995, th ruminant livestock in Hungary fell by 43% due to the price policy.
  According to research and experience gained on agricultural farms, keeping animals on pastures is fruitful, proper from a professional in addition point of view and significantly reduces environment pollution. It would thus advisable to readopt the method of animal husbandry based on grazing.

• Phytosociology investigation on the gray cattle forage neighbouring Belső Lake in Tihany Peninsula

  29-30

  Greta Mecseri

  Tunde Szabo-Szolosi

  Views:

  56

  The present survey was carried out between 2018 and 2019 in the Tihany Peninsula, on grasslands located south of Belső Lake. These grasslands were being mowed for a few years after a long abandoned period, and had been grazed by grey cattle since 2002. Our main question was the following: during these years, to which extent had the grazing been successful, did the grassland became eventually semi-natural? 

• Long-term mowing on biomass composition in Pannonian dry grasslands in the Western-Cserhát

  35-38

  Judit Hazi

  Views:

  81

  This study is focusing on the vegetation of seminatural dry grasslands. Those loess grasslands are valuable with large biodiversity; however their long-term preservation requires regular conservation management. The report demonstrates the results of mowing experiment, designed to suppress the spread of unpalatable grass species, Calamagrostis epigeios. The study site is located in mid-successional loss grasslands, in the Western-Cserhát, near Rád, northern Hungary.

  The study aims to the investigate the followings: Can the unpalatable Calamagrostis epigejos be suppressed by mowing? Are there possibilities to increase the diversity of sward by this? The study aims, to measure potential value-increasing effect of mowing, and to determine the carrying capacity in the aspect of grassland management.

  In 2001, Camagrostis epigeios was the species with the highest coverage rate according to the both treatment types, with an average cover value of 63%. However, as a result of mowing, a significant difference was detected in the amount of litter and legumes species as well. The number of species showed a slight increase in both types of treatment, from 15 to 37 in the mowed plots, but also from 18 to 27 in the control plots. We concluded that mowing twice a year was beneficial to modify botanical composition of a grassland. In a way it was suited well for agricultural usage, in particular grazing which can replace the expensive and time-consuming scythe. It is also a suitable management measure for controlling the native invader species as a Calamagrostis epigeios, and can significantly increase the proportion of species with higher forage values.

  Mowing has significantly increased the density of Calamagrostis epigeios, the species richness, and the diversity in the course of secondary succession. Therefore, mowing twice a year proved to be a successful management measure for controlling Calamagrostis epigeios, and for obtaining a sward composition. The treatment was effective in restoring grassland composition, although the achievement and maintenance of favourable conservation status for the grassland habitat require long-term management planning and regular treatment. According to the objectives, mowing not only promotes the control of the invasive species, but also the economic utilization of the area.

• Biomassza-fajgazdagság kapcsolatok vizsgálata szikes gyepekben és vizes élőhelyeken

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  Katalin Tóth

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  50

  For an effective conservation and management in grasslands and wetlands it is essential to understand mechanisms sustaining biodiversity. Understanding biomass-species richness relationships is in the focus of recent scientific interest both from the agricultural and nature conservation point of view. We provided a detailed analysis of the relationship between major biomass components (total aboveground biomass and litter), and species richness along a long productivity gradient in grasslands and wetlands. We studied eight types of alkali and loess grasslands and five types of alkali wetlands in Hortobágy National Park, East-Hungary. We found that the relationship between total biomass and species richness can be described by humped-back curves both in grasslands and wetlands. was valid for the relation of total biomass and species richness. We detected the maximum of species richness at total biomass scores of 750 g/m2 in grasslands and at 2000 g/m2 in wetlands. Our results suggest that litter is one of the major factors controlling species richness in highly productive grasslands and wetlands.