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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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LAKE FERTÖ |
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| General Description |
Lake Fertö represents the westernmost steppe lake in Eurasia, shared by Hungary and Austria. Marshes, a vast reed belt and saline grasslands surround this shallow and alkaline lake. Hills are found on the western shore of the lake and the Hanság basin, a large peat land, is extending from the eastern shore. Lake Fertö is an important staging and wintering site for birds, mainly geese, ducks and shorebirds. This led to its designation as a Ramsar wetland. The diverse cultural landscape of the Lake Fertö area has also been inscribed on the World Heritage list since it has been the meeting place of different cultures for eight millennia. The remarkable rural architecture of the villages surrounding the lake and several 18th and 19th century palaces add to the area’s considerable cultural interest. About 30,000 people are living within the in 21 settlements in the biosphere reserve (2001). Apart from agriculture, fishing, reed harvesting and mainly tourism are the major economic activities in the biosphere reserve. The lake is impacted by high nutrient inputs from surrounding agricultural areas. The management of the lake and scientific research is carried out in cooperation with the Neusiedler See Biosphere Reserve in Austria, situated adjacent to Lake Fertö Biosphere Reserve. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Temperate broad-leaf forest | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | ||||
| Location | 47°0'N; 16°43'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 12,542 | |||
| Core area(s) | ||||
| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +114 to +261 | |||
| Year designated | 1979 | |||
| Administrative authorities | ||||
| Last updated: 8/30/2001 |
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