Spring field trip in the areas of the Grassland-HU project
In accordance with Traditions, this spring the staff of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate held an inspection of the Grassland-HU LIFE integrated project sites aimed at the long-term preservation of Pannonian grasslands and related habitats. Although the spring rains did not arrive everywhere in the project area, thanks to the habitat management works, they were shining in all their glory.
There are four project areas with completely different characteristics in the operational area of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate. Three are in Szatmár-Bereg (Kaszonyi Hill in Barabás, Fülesdi bog meadow, Hetefejércse pasture), and one in the Nyírség area (Daru meadow in Petneháza), covering a total of almost 169 hectares.
The habitat reconstructions carried out in recent years have already borne fruit this year. This year, the researchers found almost 91 species from the 129-species seed mixture sown on the former 17-hectare arable land on the Daru meadow, which is unique grassland reconstruction in Europe!
The Fülesdi marshland was decorated almost in its former glory. The continuous extermination of 2.5 hectares and the sowing of a special grass seed mixture at the right time produced a spectacular result. The soil moisture condition corresponding to the water-retaining concrete structure built on the Cibere canal was created in the area.
The future priority will be the maintenance work of the area at the project sites, as well as the monitoring of the results of the completed works. Of course, the employees of the HNPI Nature Conservation Service and the Grassland Conservation Management Advisory Service also take part in this task.
Source: Hortobágy National Park Directorate
Photo: Szabolcs Balogh