University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy 3. LAKEPROMO MEETING AND SEMINAR 26. 10. – 28. 10. 2005 University of Brighton, UK Wetland restoration for biodiversity enhancement Dr. Zoltan Karacsonyi University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy Carpathian Basin - Hungary Key features: • Hungary is located in the Danube watershed • Area: 93. 000 km 2, • Over 90% of waters originate beyond the borders • Two main problems: - Excess water (inland inundations and floods) - Water deficit (draughts)
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy Hungary – flooded areas before river regulations History: • Regulations started in the 18 th Century • Reason: economic needs (agriculture) and public safety • Dyke construction on both sides of the rivers • Results: safer and increased arable production • Side effect: inland inundations, water to be pumped back to the river (by pumping stations)
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy Dykes and prevented area
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy Wetland restoration • First steps: at the end of the 1970’s – first national park (Hortobágy) established • 1980’s: first wetland restoration projects – main objective: water supply • 1992: rehabilitation of former wetland – Water supply – Modelling the water regime of Tisza river (Egyek-Pusztakócs)
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy • Watershed identification of the wetland (old map and information from archives) • Land use survey (interview with farmers, areal survey, data base of chemical use) • Planning water supply system
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy Objectives were as follows: Agri-ecosystems • separation of arable plots from natural ecosystems (primarily from wetlands) with field margins, • decrease the arable area between the rehabilitated wetlands via arable-grassland conversion, • decrease the area of intensive cultivation, amount and toxicity of chemicals used • increase the acreage of perennial and fodder crops (this way the increase of livestock density is also promoted) and the production of alternative crops, in the frame of modern crop rotation, • appearance of local species, varieties, breeds which gradually became dominant, • widespread of organic production. Natural ecosystem • convert the arable lands between the wetlands to grassland or green areas • maintenance and development of current state of the various habitats • maintenance and development of grasslands (increase livestock density) • development of eco-tourism • further wetland reconstruction
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy
University of Debrecen Centre for Environmental Management and Policy
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