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Ceratocephala testiculata (Crantz) Roth and further data to the flora of the foothills of Bükk Mts.('Bükkalja', NE Hungary)
81-142Views:392This paper reports new floristic data of 367 taxa (365 species and two hybrids) from the foothill region of Bükk Mts. ('Bükkalja', NE-Hungary) based on 5470 field collected data records. The data was collected between 1997–2014 and supplemented with herbaria (altogether 344 herbaria sheets). Data evaluation was based on the comprehensive Bükk Flora of András Vojtkó and further papers. Altogether 45 species were registered as previously unreported from the area, whereas three species had old data (Acer negundo, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Xanthium strumarium). Out of the newly registered species six native species inhabits natural habitats (Carex flacca, Ceratocephala testiculata, Glycerrhiza echinata, Gypsophila paniculata, Kochia laniflora, Marrubium vulgare), whereas five species represents the weed flora (Anthemis ruthenica, Chenopodium ficifolium, Eragrostis pilosa, Senecio vernalis, Xanthium strumarium). The majority of the newly observed species are adventives. Five species were also regarded as recent introduction regionally, although they are native in the country (mostly lowland species: Crypsis alopecuroides, Limonium gmelini subsp. hungaricum, Salsola kali, Scirpoides holoschoenus, Trifolium angulatum). Typical threats observed are landscape and habitat degradation by invasive alien species out of which 11 are newly added. Mass occurrences were detected for the following invasive alien species: Bidens frondosa, Impatiens glandulifera, Phytolacca esculenta, Xanthium italicum. 43 species are also registered, which did not have recently published data from the area. These species include more native elements representing different habitat preferences (dry grasslands, wet meadows, forest and weeds). In case of 65 species the unravelled new occurrences increased significantly, thus contributed to the clarification of their distribution pattern. It was found that the floristic data accumulated on a decade-scale are not sufficient for the analysis of floristic trends, but could serve as a good basis for surveying floristic gradients between the mountainous and lowland areas.
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Data to the flora and geobotany of Kisalföld (Lesser Plain) region, NW Hungary
235-253Views:280Lesser Plain (Kisalföld) – divided among three countries (Austria, Hungary and Slovakia) – is the westernmost part of the lowland areas of the Pannonian Basin. Present paper provides a résumé of the authors’ floristic work from the Hungarian part of the area, describing localities, habitats and regional phytogeography of 57 taxa altogether. The localities were listed according to the classification of small geographic regions. The most important results of the study are as follows:
- We recorded 5 species new to the region (Brachypodium rupestre, Bromus ramosus, Hypericum dubium, Lathyrus sphaericus, Tordylium maximum); all of them can be considered as submontane-montane elements.
- We reported several species new to a microregion within the Lesser Plain: montane species in the W-SW part of the Plain (Cirsium rivulare, Dryopteris dilatata, Equisetum telmateia), loess-connected species mainly on the Moson Plateau (Agropyron cristatum, Allium atroviolaceum, Euphorbia salicifolia, Viola ambigua); and occurrences of species on sandy soils near the Lake Fertő (Draba nemorosa, Stipa pennata).
- We explained the known localities of several salt tolerant species (e.g. Carex divisa, Crypsis alopecuroides, Juncus maritimus, Limonium gmelinii, Suaeda pannonica) from the Lake Fertő and its surroundings.
- We assessed the role of the forest management and nature conservational actions in the distribution of some important tree species (Acer tataricum, Betula pubescens, Fraxinus ornus, Quercus petraea, Salix pentandra).
- We discussed the regional nature conservational status of several protected and/or threatened species (e.g. Allium carinatum, Allium suaveolens, Carex strigosa, Hottonia palustris, Potamogeton coloratus, Stellaria palustris) in the Lesser Plain.
The activities of the authors in the surroundings of Győr were supported by monitoring results gained during the Hungarian Little Plain project (LIFE08 NAT/H/000289).
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Distribution and conservation status of forest plant species in sand oak forests of the Danube–Tisza Interfluve
129–140Views:497In this article we summarise the floristic data collected during our research in oak forests in the northern part of ‘Kiskunság’ since 1998. Between 2020 and 2024, we systematically visited and mapped the forest stands in the region, which have been continuous since the First Military Survey (late 18th century). A total of 100 forest patches were identified as semi-natural pedunculate oak, covering a total of 865 hectares, and floristic data could be collected in 94 of them. The data were supplemented by scattered occurrences found during the survey. A total of 1207 occurrences of 96 forest and forest edge species were recorded in the stands. Of these, 214 occurrences of 81 species are new compared to the Hungarian Floristic Mapping data. Species were grouped according to habitat preference and regional vulnerability. In total, 23 species were classified as threatened and 37 as critically endangered. Without active conservation interventions, these species could become extinct in the ’Kiskunság’ within a few decades.
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The historical occurrence of Digitaria ciliaris in Hungary – results of a herbarium survey
53–62Views:412Revision of genus Digitaria in BP Herbarium Carpato-Pannonicum collection helped to discover the historical occurrence of Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler from Győr, in the area of an old cotton and wool processing and textile factory. However, it has been proved that the previously published Hungarian records of the species are all wrong, as the Digitaria-keys of Hungarian herbals misinterpreted the taxon, mainly as a synonym of D. sanguinalis subsp. pectiniformis. The herbarium survey confirmed that D. sanguinalis is the most common taxon in Hungary. D. sanguinalis subsp. pectiniformis is also widespread, but probably somewhat under-mapped. Probably not native to Hungary, most probably an archeophyte taxon. Specimens have been collected from disturbed habitats associated to railways and from xerothermic vineyard areas for over a hundred years. D. ischaemum is certainly native to the region, with a recognisable natural distribution pattern, and is found mainly in the sandy and gravelly soils of the lowland and hilly areas of the country. This species has recently become more common in urban areas across the country with the recent spread of sand-lined pavements. D. ciliaris of tropical/subtropical origin is a casual alien species that was formerly present in the Hungarian flora.
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Mondró-halom kurgan (Hencida, East Hungary), a refugium of loess grassland vegetation
143-149Views:758Fragments of the natural grassland vegetation are often preserved only in those areas which are inadequate for arable farming. In many cases kurgans hold the last remnants of dry grasslands in lowland areas, like the Great Hungarian Plain. They also have an essential role in preserving cultural and landscape values. Moreover, they harbour several rare plant and animal species. Our aim was to explore the vegetation of the Mondró-halom kurgan (Hencida, East Hungary). Altogether we found 74 vascular plant species in the loess grassland of the kurgan. Several rare species of the Bihari-sík region, such as Inula germanica, Ranunculus illyricus and Rosa gallica were also detected. The steep slopes of the kurgan with various micro-sites and exposures supported a species-rich vegetation. Instead of its small area it harboured several forest steppic species and several steppic flora elements (Continental, Pontic-Mediterranean, Pontic, Pontic-Pannonic and Turanian).
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Distribution and infection rate of (Viscum album subsp. austriacum) in Hungary
89-102Views:339Based on the data collected between 2015 and 2023, we present a detailed account of the occurrences and current distribution of Viscum album subsp. austriacum in Hungary. We present its frequency and abundance, and also examine the factors influencing its distribution and prevalence. The taxon is generally widespread in the western half of Western Transdanubia, where it is a characteristic (and partially native) element of the mixed pine forests of the Vendvidék, Felső-Őrség, Kőszeg Hills, and the Pinka Plain. Its occurrence has been confirmed in almost all (older) Scots pine and black pine stands of the Sopron Hills, where it has become a mass pest in several locations. Based on our studies, the current distribution of the taxon in Southwestern Transdanubia follows the border of the native distribution of Scots pine, but in the Kemeneshát and the Sopron–Vas Plain, the regional boundary extends 10–25 km beyond it. The frequency of pine mistletoe within the subcompartments was highest in mixed coniferous stands. We also recorded a mass infection that played a significant role in the degradation of the stands. The notable increase in the number of occurrences can be explained by the significant under-mapping of the taxon to date, as well as its documented spread throughout Europe. It is also assumed to be linked to the increasingly unfavorable health status of coniferous forests in Hungary. This process may be facilitated by the fact that the resistance of Scots pine forests in both hilly and lowland regions has significantly declined due to the increasing length and frequency of drought periods. Compared to previous years, forest stands in weakened condition are more susceptible to infections by pathogenic organisms, such as mistletoe.
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Rubus armeniacus Focke, an unnoticed invader in the Hungarian flora
220-228Views:240The authors report on the occurrence, distribution and invasion potential of Rubus armeniacus, a bramble species of Caucasian origin, in Hungary. The first verified records of the species are from the 1990s. It has established strong populations in ruderal habitats mainly around Budapest and some other cities, whereas its competiveness is rather weak in closed non-lowland forests rich in native bramble species. In terms of conservation, it constitutes a real threat to the vegetation of Pannonian sandy habitats. The results of this study also emphasize the importance of recognising "nonnative cryptic species" for ecology and conservation biology.
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Leucanthemella serotina in the Dráva Plain (Hungary)
227-230Views:553New stands of Leucanthemella serotina (L.) Tzvelev were found on the Hungarian side of the Dráva Plain. This legally protected species has not been found in the region for about 150 years. In the text, we report the maximum plant height, and thousand seed weight of the species as well as the species composition of its preferred habitats.
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Water contraction drives stronger the formation of diatom assemblages in stream than human induced microhabitat-variability
211-228Views:321Today, climate change, together with other anthropogenic influences is considered as a major threat affecting aquatic ecosystems in several ways. Here, altering water contraction (standing and flowing phases) and human-induced habitat variability (natural and artificial stream sections) were studied as modifying factors driving community changes in benthic diatom assemblages of a Hungarian small lowland stream (Létai-ér). We assumed notable compositional differences between phases and habitats, but we expected these differences to decrease with drying. Moreover, lower diversity was hypothesized in assemblages of both artificial section and flowing phase. While taxonomic composition did not reveal significant differences between the sections, well pronounced compositional changes were found between phases. Surprisingly, no significant diversity changes were observed during water contraction. Compared to the natural microhabitat, however, artificial stream section was found to maintain more diverse diatom community. These results emphasize that modification effects of climate change induced hydrological extremes can lead to remarkable compositional changes in benthic algal assemblages even on a short time scale, that must be taken into account in both water management and nature conservation strategies.
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Vulpia bromoides and Luzula multiflora in the Dráva Plain (S Hungary)
234-235Views:1926Vital populations of Vulpia bromoides (L.) S. F. Gray and Luzula multiflora Kirsch. were found between Vajszló and Páprád villages (S Hungary) in 25 May 2022. The populations grew in a mesic forest clearing in the territory of “Bükkhát forest”. These species are new for the flora of the Drava Plain. The habitat is demonstrated by a phytosociological relevé.