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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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AGGTELEK |
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| General Description |
Aggtelek Biosphere Reserve and National Park is situated on the Hungarian part of a vast karst area which belongs to the southern limestone foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. This area, which is divided by the border between Hungary and Slovakia, is a geographically homogenous region extending over 60,000 hectares and containing more than 700 caves. Their morphological diversity, characteristic fauna as well as archaeological and historical value make this cave system one of the most complex examples of karstic phenomena occurring at medium altitude in the temperate zone. The karst landscape is dominated by extensive karst plateaus with dolines and valleys with permanent or temporary watercourses, which disappear in sinkholes. There are only two small villages within the biosphere reserve with a population of about 1,500 people (1979) who are engaged in forestry, agriculture and livestock raising. The caves have a long research history including studies on flora, fauna, speleology, geomorphology and geology. Already in 1794, the first cave was mapped. Aggtelek Biosphere Reserve is situated adjacent to Slovensky Kras Biosphere Reserve (Slovakia). In 1995, ‘Caves of Aggtelek and Slovak Karst’ have been designated as one World Heritage site. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Temperate broad-leaf forest | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | ||||
| Location | 48°30'N; 20°36'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 19,247 | |||
| Core area(s) | ||||
| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +150 to +600 | |||
| Year designated | 1979 | |||
| Administrative authorities | ||||
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| Brief description |
Faunal studies Geology Hydrogeography (karst) |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Geology, hydrology. | |||
| Biodiversity | Fauna. | |||
| Socio-economic | n.a. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | n.a. | |||
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| 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 |
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| Telephone | (36 1) 457 3488 | |||
| Fax | (36 1) 201 2617 | |||
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erdine@mail.kvvm.hu |
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| Last updated: 3/13/2002 |
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