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• Seed dispersal and habitat preference of the endangered Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus L.) and larger goose species in the Hortobágy National Park

  136-147

  Katalin Tóth

  Dávid Bogyó

  János Tar

  Orsolya Valkó

  Views:

  127

  Several studies found that waterfowl are important endozoochorous dispersal vectors for plant species. Germination of the seed content of their droppings provides valuable information on their diet and also on their role in seed dispersal. Our aim was to analyse the seed dispersal potential of the critically endangered habitat-specialist Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) in their autumn and spring staging areas in Hortobágy National Park. The study was supported by the LIFE10-NAT/GR/000638 project. We also studied the seed dispersal potential of larger generalist goose species foraging in the same areas, such as Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons Scopoli) and Greylag Goose (Anser anser L.). We asked the following questions: (i) Which habitat types are the most frequently used by Lesser White-fronted Goose and larger goose species? (ii) Is the different habitat preference of Lesser White-fronted Goose and larger goose species reflected in the seed content of their droppings? (iii) Are there seasonal differences between the seed content of spring and autumn droppings? We identified the most frequently used feeding habitats. We collected 40 droppings of Lesser White-fronted Goose and larger goose species per site in April and October 2012, in total we collected 720 droppings per species. Droppings were concentrated and spread on trays filled with sterilised potting soil. Samples were germinated in a greenhouse from April to November 2013. In total we germinated 21 plant species from the goose droppings, which suggests that goose species play an important role in seed dispersal. We found that Lesser White-fronted Goose dispersed more species typical to alkali habitats, and fewer weeds compared to larger goose species. Lesser White-fronted Goose and larger goose species used a wide range of feeding habitats, thus, they play an important role in dispersing seeds between habitats along a moisture gradient. Total species number and species number of plant functional groups were higher in autumn droppings. Seed content of the droppings suggests that Lesser White-fronted Goose is confined to natural habitats, thus for the effective protection of this critically endangered species it is crucial to preserve its natural feeding habitats.

• Floristic data from the northern edge of the floristic region ‘Crisicum’ (NE Hungary)

  275-294

  Attila Takács

  Albert Zákány

  Gergely Gulyás

  János Koscsó

  Gábor Sramkó

  Views:

  121

  This paper reports new floristic data of 161 taxa. Most of these data were collected between 2011–2013, and are coming from the northern edge of the floristic region 'Crisicum', the NE part of the Great Hungarian Plain, which is a little-known area from a floristic point of view. 43 CEU quarterquadrates and territory of 35 settlements are represented by the dataset. The paper reports occurrence localities for legally protected (e.g. Ophioglossum vulgatum, Stellaria palustris, Ranunculus polyphyllus, Thlaspi jankae, Lathyrus palustris, Elatine spp., Lycopsis arvensis, Lindernia procumbens, Cirsium brachycephalum, Cyperus pannonicus), strictly protected (Armoracia macrocarpa, Vicia biennis) and some little-known (e.g. Cardamine parviflora, Reseda luteola, Melilorus dentatus, Veronica catenata) taxa. Numerous data of alien species (e.g. Lepidium densiflorum, Euphorbia maculata, Sicyos angulatus, Erechtites hieracifolia, Elodea nuttallii, Elymus elongatus, Eleusine indica, Sorghum halepense, Eriochloa villosa) are also published. The most important data are documented by voucher specimens deposited in herbarium of Debrecen University (DE).

• Epipactis exilis in the Börzsöny Mts (C Hungary)

  102-103

  Balázs Pintér

  Gábor Tímár

  Views:

  200

  Seven specimens of Epipactis exilis has been found in the Börzsöny Mts, in a beech forest along the creek Szén-patak on the 21st August 2020. This strictly protected species is very rare in Hungary, the present observation is its fifth occurrence in the country. It is new to the Börzsöny Mts flora.

• A new, remarkable population of Epipactis placentina found near Parádsasvár village (Mátra Mts, NE Hungary)

  247–248

  György Tóth

  Gábor Magos

  Miklós Molnár

  Miklós Csábi

  Views:

  190

  The present paper surveyes the Hungarian records of Epipactis placentina Bongiorni & Grünanger, which is the rarest Epipactis species in Hungary. Currently, E. placentina is known only at Parádsasvár village in the country. This population (ca. 40 generative individuals) was found in 2019, in an old beech forest, in northern exposition.

• New occurrence of Caldesia parnassifolia (L.) Parl. in Hungary

  50-55

  Attila Mesterházy

  Views:

  56

  Caldesia parnassifolia is a critically endangered and strictly protected species in Hungary. It was known only from one locality of occurrence so far, where it was last reported in 2003. Its new occurrence was discovered in Somogy county, in 2010. It appeared in an artificial pond created in the place of an originally swampy depression. Based on this newly discovered occurrence we can assume that other potential populations might still exist in South-Transdanubium, which could be rediscovered if similar conservation measures occur.