Abstract
Big trees contribute to various ecosystem functions and spiritual values are given to them by local people, yet they are endangered. We compiled the health status, accessibility, and local habitat categories of the 2000 biggest (considering girth) trees in Hungary in 531 settlements. A total of 1550 specimens belong to 29 indigenous species, while 450 are non-indigenous (43 species). Most of them stand in a forest or park (not as a solitary tree), in the North Hungarian Range. Altogether, half of the ancient trees in Hungary stand in human-altered environments. Three-quarters are in a fair health condition. However, only 10.3% of the biggest white willows and 24.5% of the biggest sweet chestnuts are in good or excellent condition. A number of 121 big trees should no longer be listed in the nationwide online database because they died, or no longer reach the girth criteria (e.g., due to breakage). This number proves that any kind of documentation is important. More than half of the trees are easily accessible, while 9% are very difficult to reach. Only a very few big trees receive legal protection at the local or national level, on their own or in the habitat where they stand.
Highlights
Big trees contribute to various ecosystem functions and spiritual values are given to them by local people, yet they are endangered
A total of 1550 specimens belong to 29 indigenous species, while 450 are non-indigenous (43 species)
Based on the methodology [1] of the Ancient Tree Inventory of the United Kingdom, we registered the following the total area of Hungary (531 settlements)
Summary
Big trees contribute to various ecosystem functions and spiritual values are given to them by local people, yet they are endangered. The trees belonging to these categories contribute to ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water retention, and microclimate regulation and contain several types of microhabitats (e.g., hollows, wood mold, decaying wood in the crown, or flaking bark), which support specialized saproxylic species, including fungi, lichens, and other epiphytes, etc. Some of these rely solely on decaying wood.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.