Abstract: An outstanding part of the animal products are based on the grasslands, due to the fact that the grassland ecosystems can be found all over the globe. In places where economical and successful crop production cannot be managed, the grassland based animal husbandry can be an efficient way of food production. In addition, these ecosystems have an important role in carbon sequestration, and with their rich flora – and fauna connected to it – in conservation of biodiversity. The protection of nature, and the sustainable agriculture is getting more and more attention in the European Union, but, looking at the consumers’ needs, the production of healthy food cannot be neglected either. Because of these facts, the effects of two specific composts - which are officially authorized in organic farming, in Agri-environment Schemes and Natura 2000 programs – on grass yields and sward compositions were investigated in a field trial. The investigation took place in Hungary, on a natural grassland based on solonetz soil. Three rates of compost (10 t/ha, 20 t/ha, 30 t/ha) were tested on 3 m X 10 m experimental plots. Every treatment had four replications and both type of compost had four-four control plots too, this way 32 experimental plots were included in the investigations. The yield of the pasture was harvested two-times (in May and in September) and before cutting the plots, measurements on botanical compositions were made. Samples for laboratory analysis were also taken. Dry matter yield of pasture showed positive responses to the rates of composts. The increase in dry matter yield was partly due to some positive changes in sward composition. It means that the proportions of grass species with higher yield potential increased in ground cover of the sward without depressing out valuable native species of diverse natural grasslands. The research results indicate that the use of organic compost can be an efficient way to increase grass yields in a sustainable way.
Abstract: Climate change causes severe effects on natural
habitats, especially wetlands. These challenges require the adaptation
of their management to probable effects of climate change. A
compilation of necessary changes in land management was collected
in a Hungarian area being both national park and Natura 2000 SAC
and SCI site in favor of increasing the resilience and reducing
vulnerability. Several factors, such as ecological aspects, nature
conservation and climatic adaptation should be combined with social
and economic factors during the process of developing climate
change adapted management on vulnerable wetlands. Planning
adaptive management should be determined by a priority order of
conservation aims and evaluation of factors at the determined
planning unit. Mowing techniques, frequency and exact date should
be observed as well as grazing species and their breed, due to
different grazing, group forming and trampling habits. Integrating
landscape history and historical land development into the planning
process is essential.
Abstract: The research objective of the project and article
“European Ecological Network Natura 2000 – opportunities and
threats” Natura 2000 sites constitute a form of environmental
protection, several legal problems are likely to result. Most
controversially, certain sites will be subject to two regimes of
protection: as national parks and as Natura 2000 sites. This dualism
of the legal regulation makes it difficult to perform certain legal
obligations related to the regimes envisaged under each form of
environmental protection. Which regime and which obligations
resulting from the particular form of environmental protection have
priority and should prevail? What should be done if these obligations
are contradictory? Furthermore, an institutional problem consists in
that no public administration authority has the power to resolve legal
conflicts concerning the application of a particular regime on a given
site. There are also no criteria to decide priority and superiority of
one form of environmental protection over the other. Which
regulations are more important, those that pertain to national parks or
to Natura 2000 sites? In the light of the current regulations, it is
impossible to give a decisive answer to these questions. The internal
hierarchy of forms of environmental protection has not been
determined, and all such forms should be treated equally.