UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

			Biosphere Reserve Information
			Hungary HORTOBÁGY


	General Description		Located in the Great Hungarian Plain, Hortobágy Biosphere Reserve is a vast flat steppe landscape (‘Hungarian Puszta’) which recalls features of the East Asian steppes in central Europe. However, Hortobágy is not only a short grass alkali steppe but also comprises springs, canals, bogs, swamps, fishponds and forests. It comprises the most important bird migration site in the Carpathian Basin, which is designated as a Ramsar site. Man played a dominant role in the formation of the Hortobágy landscape. The once forested steppe with impenetrable swamps in lower areas, used to be under the influence of the Tisza River that was meandering through the plain. River regulation and the spread of animal husbandry caused major changes of the landscape: large areas became deforested and steppe formations advanced. Today, the landscape is maintained by the combined efforts of nature conservation and traditional farming. Nomadic animal husbandry is on decline, however Hungarian grey cattle, racka sheep, mangalica pig etc. are still kept for gene preservation and tourist attraction. Visitors of the area can learn about the history of the landscape in exhibitions, the Hortobágy Shepherd’s museum and on marked trails.
	Major ecosystem type		Temperate broad-leaf forest
	Major habitats & land cover types
	Location		47°25' to 47°15'N; 20°54' to 21°21'E
	Area (hectares)
	Total		52,000
	Core area(s)
	Buffer zone(s)
	Transition area(s) when given
	Altitude (metres above sea level)
	Year designated		1979
	Administrative authorities

	Brief description		Synecology of flora, fauna, and soils Ecology of pools, artificial water bodies, alkali lowlands, salt steppes Ecology of breeding and migratory birds
	*Specific variables...*
	Abiotic		Soil.
	Biodiversity		Birds, breeding/reproduction, community studies/communities, ecology, fauna, flora, migrating populations/migration.
	Socio-economic		n.a.
	Integrated monitoring		n.a.

	Contact address		Rozália Érdine Head of Department for Nature Conservation, State Secretary for Nature Protection Ministry of Environment and Water, Fo utca 44-50 H-1011 Budapest Hungary
	Telephone		(36 1) 457 3488
	Fax		(36 1) 201 2617
	E-mail		erdine@mail.kvvm.hu

	Contact address		István Sándor Director, Hortobágy National Park Directorate Sumen u.2 4024 Debrecen Hungary
	Telephone
	Fax
	E-mail		sandoristvan@www.hnp.hu

Last updated: 1/1/1992