Balaton Uplands Research Articles

Changes in the taxonomic composition of soil bacterial communities under different inter-row tillage managements in a sloping vineyard of the Balaton Uplands (Hungary).

The common grape (Vitis vinifera L.) has been cultivated for thousands of years. Nowadays, it is cultivated using a variety of tillage practices that affect the structure of the soil microbial communities and thus the health of the vine. The aim of this study was to explore and compare the effects of tillage (shallow tillage with bare soil) and no-tillage (perennial grass cover) practices on soil physical and chemical properties and soil bacterial community diversities in a small catchment. Soil samples were taken in July and October 2020 at different slope positions of two vineyards exposed to erosion. The two sampling sites were separated by the agricultural inter-row management type: tilled and no-tilled slopes. The taxonomic diversity of bacterial communities was determined using 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing method on Illumina MiSeq platform. Based on the examined soil properties, the sampling areas were separated from each other according to the positions of the upper and lower slopes and the sampling times. Both the tilled and no-tilled soil samples were dominated by sequences assigned to phyla Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, Actinobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota. The results showed that tillage had no significant effect compared to the no-tilled samples in the studied area. Water runoff and seasonally changed soil physical and chemical properties affected mainly the bacterial community structures.

Soil bacterial communities affected by land-use types in a small catchment area of the Balaton Uplands (Hungary).

Changes resulting from different tillage practices can affect the structure of microbial communities, thereby altering soil ecosystems and their functioning. The aim of this study was to explore and compare the physical, chemical properties and bacterial community composition of soils from different land use types (forest, grassland, vineyard, and arable field) in a small catchment. 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing was used to reveal the taxonomic diversity of summer and autumn soil samples taken from two different slope positions. The greater the anthropogenic impact was on the type of land use, the greater the change was in soil physical and chemical parameters. All sample types were dominated by the phyla Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota. Differences in the relative abundance of various bacterial taxa reflected the different land use types, the seasonality, and the topography. These diversity changes were consistent with the differences in soil properties.

Legal Folklore among the Petty Nobility of the Káli Basin

AbstractIn the Káli Basin in the Balaton Uplands, four of the eight settlements bordering each other (Balatonhenye, Köveskál, Kővágóörs, Monoszló) were inhabited by petty nobles belonging to the gentry, living in curial villages, with a great deal of autonomy, self-governance, and within the framework of their established legal norms and legal customs. They lost most of their privileges in the mid-19th century, but some of their old and new legal customs survived until the mid-20th century. The study reviews part of their extensive living conditions, essentially from the last third of the 18th century. The way of life in this region, known for high-quality grapes and livestock, has changed a lot in the more than 200 years. The study describes each typical component of this life in view of the provisions of established law, customary law, and legal customs. Considering legal distinctions, it addresses secular and ecclesiastical administration, legal relationships regarding vineyards, certain work customs, succession laws, and the vestiges of petty nobility that survived into the 20th century. The role of certain legal customs contrary or complementary to the laws (contra legem, praeter legem) is also mentioned. The study provides a brief overview, or at least a taste, of the special (petty noble) legal folklore of the Káli Basin, which is rich in legal customs.

Comparative phytosociological study of long-term on Tihany Peninsula of the Balaton Uplands National Park, Hungary

Phytosociological samples were collected in two territories of the Balaton Uplands National Park (Hungary) dominated by grassland habitats. Samples in the Tihany Peninsula had been taken in a pasture of Hungarian Grey Cattle. We evaluated the changes of species composition and ground cover, the measure of possible regeneration or degradation, and the changes of these factors from the viewpoint of feeding value.

Interventions and intersections: institutional environment and local level autonomy in LEADER. A comparative study

In 2010, when hope emerged that the new conservative government would improve the governance of the LEADER Programme, the Naturama Alliance, a co-operative network of seven Hungarian LAGs, issued a Declaration that summarised procedural issues to be addressed by a revision[1]. After introducing the alliance, the first chapter was entitled “Decentralisation and Autonomy”, indicating the direction of the desired shift towards a more autonomous operation. The LEADER Programme is scrutinised in this article from the point of view of autonomy and local democracy, exploring to what extent these are linked with or distinct from higher level governance transformations towards decentralisation or recentralisation.
 Theoretical approaches derived from rural and government studies are interpreted in the first sections of the paper, exploring the debate regarding the correlation of autonomy and local democracy and the way it is manifested in LEADER. Most authors regard LEADER as a promoter of local democracy and identify a positive correlation between democracy and an enhanced local autonomy. However, a consensus among scholars also seems to be unfolding from these studies suggesting that the scope of ‘LEADER democracy’ is mostly narrow, restricting participation to more resourceful social groups due both to the ‘thematic filters’ of the Local Development Strategy and to ‘procedural filters’, such as capacities allocated to the staff for animation and assistance to overcome difficulties of application.
 The empirical research background of this article is provided by two case studies, which were conducted in 2018-2019, one in England (Northumberland Uplands) and one in Hungary (Balaton Uplands), two states with complex recent histories and trajectories in terms of devolution of governance to lower levels and local autonomy. The secondary interpretation of these case studies focuses on the degree of participation and autonomy of LAGs. The analysis reveals that the degree of autonomy (and to some extent of participation) declined in both countries in the last iteration compared to the 2007-13 programming cycle. It has also been uncovered that rather than the ‘post transition’, recentralised Hungarian context, it was the British institutional system and governance tradition that permitted more top-down intervention and less autonomy for the LAGs.
 
 
 [1] A NATURAMA Szövetség Akciócsoportjainak javaslatai az UMVP III. IV. tengelye intézkedéseinek
 hatékonyabb megvalósítása érdekében. [Suggestions of the NATURAMA Alliance for the more effective implementation of III-IV axes of the RDP], 2010.
 http://leadercontact.com/images/stories/https___leaderkontakt.pdf

Geodiversity mapping of the Bakony–Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark, Hungary

Abstract. Geodiversity is the natural range of elements in the physical environment. The relationships, properties, and systems of geoscientific features have an impact not only on the natural world but also on cultural and societal aspects of life. Geodiversity can be considered as a quantitative variable that is unevenly distributed all over the world. This spatial variability helps to locate areas with a high degree of geodiversity. These areas can be the basis of further nature protection and geotourism purposes: high geodiversity usually means higher scientific/cultural/ecological values in an area. We present a GIS-based workflow in which we collect, evaluate, and visualize geoscientific variables to provide information on the geodiversity of the Bakony–Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark in Hungary. By using mainly freely accessible data and an open-source GIS environment, we aim to develop a method that can be applied in many areas of the world. The evaluation is built up by the determination of five sub-indices per unit area, which are related to the elements of geodiversity: geology, relief, hydrology, soil, palaeontology, and mineralogy. The geodiversity index is the sum of the sub-indices. The current tourism potential is mainly found in the high geodiversity regions: the Balaton Uplands, the Tapolca Basin, the Káli Basin, and the Bakony Mountains. The results show that the current geopark infrastructure is in accordance with the geodiversity, but it took several years to reach this state. However, new geoparks are established every year and their infrastructure is yet to be planned. The method we apply helps in this process by using open-source data in the assessment and provides a workflow in areas that have not been evaluated before.

Természetvédelmi célú botanikai, takarmányozástani és talajtani vizsgálatok a Tapolcai és Káli-medence szürkemarha és bivaly legelőin

In the present work we introduce the coenological and pedological results of examination on the Balaton Upland (Badacsonytördemic, Csobánc, Káptalantóti and Kővágóőrs). Grass management plays an important role in nature conservation, rural development thus in the viability of rural population. Soil and water suffer from extreme degradation and pollution, partly because of agricultural activities, growing settlements and mining activity. We evaluated the changes in species composition and coverage, the possibly occurring regeneration or degradation and the effects of botanical composition changes on forage values, especially in case of economically valuable species. Investigations show strengths and weaknesses of having animals on grasslands. Sample sites were in Balaton Upland National Park, Hungary. Results proved that among the plants there are either weeds and/or poisonous and/or prickly species, too. We examined how important grasses and pulses appeared or disappeared, how did the number of overgrazing tolerant species changed and how did the species composition of the grazed and non-grazed land differed. Based on the results the characteristics of the examined pastures show the effects of overgrazing. With the decrease of the number of the animals, nature conservation and economical values could be increased. The examined areas had totally different soil characteristics, pH, soil thickness and nutrient content varied greatly. In the Gyulakeszi area even a small catena was found on a single pasture. The high soil organic matter and nutrient content ensure the good grass yield thus the areas are suitable for grazing and for grass cutting, too.

Vendégelégedettségi vizsgálatok eredményei a Bakony–Balaton Geopark területén

A well-known national park in Hungary, the Balaton Uplands National Park and the Bakony-Balaton Geopark, offers a diverse range of ecotouristic and geotouristic products. The presentation of the geological and topographical treasures of the land, the local representatives of the flora and fauna and the culture inherited from the history is carried out by the representatives of the surrounding settlements. From a research point of view, the geological demonstration sites and nature trails provide the most useful information. Our goal is to evaluate the opinions and demographic characteristics of the visitors, and to examine touristic behaviour. With the help of the questionnaire research, we are looking for answers to questions about how well the remarks of the hikers meet the preliminary expectations? Where are there territorial differences or similarities in relation to each external or substantive feature of each site? All this is important, because the value qualifying role of the tourist is highlighted through the evaluation of visitor opinions. This allows the guest to highlight the positives and shortcomings of each route and the comments will greatly help the work of the national park and geopark.

Comparative investigations of biomass composition in differently managed grasslands of the Balaton Uplands National Park, Hungary

Phytosociological and biomass samples were collected in two territories of the Balaton Uplands National Park (Hungary) dominated by grassland habitats. Samples in the Tihany Peninsula had been taken in a pasture of Hungarian Grey Cattle. Studies were broadened to four areas of the Tapolcai Basin, Badacsonytördemic (undergrazed and overgrazed pastures, hayfield, control area). The areas were suitable for following up the changes of vegetation and production in every grazing season of a year. We evaluated the changes of species composition and ground cover, the measure of possible regeneration or degradation, and the changes of these factors from the viewpoint of feeding value. Covering rates of the grassland associations have doubled and species composition has improved in the Tihany Peninsula, however, forage value has not increased, due to the change in land use in favour of the natural area that is converting into grazing field. In case of the Taplocai Basin, low number of species (20 to 30) was detected in the undergrazed pasture and the control area. About one month per year grazing time in the undergrazed area was not enough to achieve a better state for species diversity, and the amount of forage remained high. The overgrazed pasture carries a low forage value and contains a high number of weed species, despite the spectacularly high total number of plant species (38 to 39), consequently, grazing pressure has to be decreased. Although the number of species is lower in the hayfield (26 to 28), species composition and ability for forage supply is much better, showing that the proper management of the area is taken here.

Distribution and habitat preference of protected reindeer lichen species (Cladonia arbuscula, C. mitis and C. rangiferina) in the Balaton Uplands (Hungary)

AbstractThe maintenance of protected lichen species and their biodiversity in general depends on good management practices based on their distribution and habitat preferences. To date, 10 of the 17 protected lichen species of Hungary have been recorded in the Bakony Mts including the Balaton Uplands region. Habitat preferences of three protected Cladonia species (C. arbuscula, C. mitis and C. rangiferina) growing on underlying rocks of red sandstone, basalt, Pannonian sandstone and gravel were investigated by detailed sampling. We recorded aspect, underlying rock type, soil depth, pH and CaCO3 content, habitat type (as defined by the General National Habitat Classification System Á-NÉR), all species of lichen, bryophyte and vascular plants as well as percentage cover of exposed rock, total bryophytes, lichens, vascular plants and canopy, degree of disturbance and animal impacts. Sporadic populations of these species mostly exist at the top of hills and mountains in open acidofrequent oak forests, but they may occur in other habitats, such as closed acidofrequent oak forests, slope steppes on stony soils, siliceous open rocky grasslands, open sand steppes, wet and mesic pioneer scrub and dry Calluna heaths. Cladonia rangiferina was found to grow beneath higher canopy cover than either C. arbuscula or C. mitis in the Balaton Uplands. Furthermore, there were significant differences in canopy cover between occupied and unoccupied quadrats in the case of all three species. Cladonia rangiferina is a good indicator species of natural habitats in Hungary due to its restricted distribution and low ecological tolerance. These results may lead to the adoption of effective conservation methods (e.g. game exclusion, artificial dispersal) in the future.

Biosztratigráfiai és gerinctelen őslénytani kutatások a kárpát-pannon térségben

A Kárpát–Pannon-térség makroszkópikus méretű gerinctelen ősmaradványainak kutatása gazdag tudományos ismeretanyagot szolgáltatott az elmúlt mintegy másfél évszázadban. A legtöbbet tanulmányozott ősmaradványcsoport a puhatestűek voltak, a mezozoikumban leginkább az ammoniteszek, a kainozoikumban pedig a kagylók és a csigák. A legjobban megkutatott terület a Dunántúli-középhegység, azon belül pedig a Bakony, amely bizonyos korokban és ősmaradványcsoportokban világviszonylatban is kiemelkedő gazdagságú anyagot adott. A magyarországi őslénytani kutatást számos kiemelkedő egyéni teljesítmény: sokat forgatott és idézett monográfiák, rétegtani értelmezések, az adott terület geológiai fejlődését és az adott kor élővilágának fejlődését új megvilágításba helyező tanulmányok fémjelzik. Ezek mellett voltak olyan kutatócsoportok és többgenerációs tudományos iskolák, amelyek tartósan vagy ismétlődően kiemelkedően magas színvonalú, külföldön is elismert eredményeket produkáltak bizonyos kutatási területeken. Ilyen volt a Balaton-felvidéki triász kutatása, a dunántúli-középhegységi és mecseki jura kutatása, a Paratethys-tenger oligocénjének, azaz a kiscelli és egri emeletnek az őslénytani kutatása, és a késő miocén–pliocén Pannon-tó élővilágának és üledékeinek, azaz a pannóniai emeletnek a kutatása. Dolgozatunk a 150 éves fennállását ünneplő Földtani Közlöny ünnepi évfolyamában megjelenő cikkek sorához kapcsolódva, geológiai időrend szerint veszi leltárba – a teljesség igénye nélkül – a Kárpát–Pannon-térségben született legfontosabb gerinctelen őslénytani eredményeket – amelyeknek egy jelentős része éppen ebben a folyóiratban jelent meg.

Sawflies of the Bakony Mountains and the Balaton Uplands (Hymenoptera: Symphyta)

358 species are listed from the Bakony Mountains and the Balaton Uplands. Monostegia analis (Konow, 1887) and Pristiphora cincta Newman, 1837 are new records for the Hungarian fauna. Megalodontes laticeps Konow, 1897, Gilpinia laricis (Jurine, 1807), Tenthredo arcuata Förster, 1771, Apethymus cerris (Kollar, 1850), Monostegia cingulata (Konow, 1891), Empria alector Benson, 1938, Cephalcia alpina (Klug, 1808), Nematinus luteus (Panzer, 1805), Nematus brevivalvis Thomson, 1871, Pachynematus montanus (Zaddach, 1883), Pamphilius aurantiacus (Giraud, 1857) are cancelled from the fauna-list of the Bakony Mountains.

Black Pennant has reached the Carpathian Basin! : The first occurrence of Selysiothemis nigra in Hungary (Odonata: Libellulidae)

A fresh, female specimen of Selysiothemis nigra (Vander Linden, 1825) (Odonata: Anisoptera: Libellulidae) was found on a meadow at Káptalantóti, on the Balaton Uplands, Hungary. The species is a well-known migrant from Africa and Asia. In Europe, it is known from coastal areas of the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The first record from Hungary as well as from the Carpathian Basin is presented. With 2 figures.

Comparison of geotourism assessment models: and experiment in Bakony–Balaton UNSECO Global Geopark, Hungary

Abstract Geological and scenic values of locations are the non-living curiosities that can be preserved and popularized a lot easier using the institutional background of geotourism, such as geoparks. UNESCO Global Geoparks Network is responsible for protecting and fostering natural, scenic and cultural values and especially geosites that are the exciting visible physical elements. Our goal was to quantify the geotourism potential around Csopak, a scenic village in the Balaton Uplands giving home for the headquarter of the Bakony-Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark. After designating 216 potential geosites using topographic and geological maps, we applied two assessment models: the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM) and the Modified Geosite Assessment Model (M-GAM). GAM has been applied with good results in Hungary on different areas, but M-GAM has not been used before. As M-GAM involves tourists into the process counting with their opinion, it may give a more realistic view of the geosites. The two methods produced different but comparable final values of geotourism potential counted from the Main Value and Additional Value scores. We discovered that the proportion of the difference of these values carries major information. The ratio of ΔAV/ΔMV used as linear functions and depicted on diagrams can derive which values are more important for the visitors. From this result we can draw conclusions about the future development trends: scientific or infrastructural values should be more effectively fostered. Using our results, geosites can be handled and developed as visitors expect it.

Encrinus aculeatus von Meyer, 1849 (Crinoidea, Encrinidae) from the Middle Triassic of Val Brembana (Alpi Orobie, Bergamo, Italy)

The Triassic crinoid Encrinus aculeatus is described from a single bedding plane of uncertain Pelsonian or early Illyrian or (less probable) late Ladinian origin from Val Brembana (Alpi Orobie, Bergamo, Italy) based on 36 more or less complete crowns and columns. The specimens represent an obrutional echinoderm lagerstatte of the Muschelkalk type. The individuals are semi-adult and juvenile; adult individuals are lacking. Morphological description and comparison with the holotype and additional material from the Lower Muschelkalk and basal Middle Muschelkalk of Upper Silesia (Poland) prove the assignment to Encrinus aculeatus. However, the species concept of genus Encrinus is critical because several characters are inconsistent. E. aculeatus occurs in the Middle Triassic (Bithynian to early Illyrian, ? early Ladinian) of the western Tethys shelf and Peritethys basins (Southern Alps, Balaton Upland, Germanic Basin). Encrinus aculeatus is regarded ancestral to the Upper Muschelkalk (latest Illyrian) E. liliiformis. Until now, E. liliiformis has not yet been proven with certainty from outside the Germanic Basin; references are based on isolated and undiagnostic material.

Sustainable soil management in the Badacsony Wine District

Agricultural landscapes with historical hillside vineyard cultivation have a touristic, economic, and environmental value in the Balaton uplands. However, sustainable cultivation methods are becoming increasingly important within today's adaptation to climate change impacts on these lands much exposed to erosion. Our long-term field experiment compared the effects of several soil-cover methods in several aspects. We recorded and examined the consequent changes in the physical (soil moisture), chemical (absorbable nitrogen content), biological (enzyme activity: fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and dehydrogenase), the most probable number of bacteria and fungi), and economic (yield) parameters of soils. According to our results in 2017, mulching with organic plant wastes achieved the most positive effect on the parameters studied and also efficiently reduced erosion in the plantation.

Sustainable soil management in the Badacsony Wine District

Agricultural landscapes with historical hillside vineyard cultivation have a touristic, economic, and environmental value in the Balaton uplands. However, sustainable cultivation methods are becoming increasingly important within today's adaptation to climate change impacts on these lands much exposed to erosion. Our long-term field experiment compared the effects of several soil-cover methods in several aspects. We recorded and examined the consequent changes in the physical (soil moisture), chemical (absorbable nitrogen content), biological (enzyme activity: fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and dehydrogenase), the most probable number of bacteria and fungi), and economic (yield) parameters of soils. According to our results in 2017, mulching with organic plant wastes achieved the most positive effect on the parameters studied and also efficiently reduced erosion in the plantation.

Haematopinus Infestations and Mycoplasma Infections of Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Herds in National Parks of Hungary

The biology, epidemiology and pathology of sucking louse infestation and Mycoplasma infection of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) herds in Hungarian national parks were studied between 19 December 2011 and 4 May 2012. A total of 333 water buffaloes were examined in buffalo stocks of the Balaton Uplands, Fertő-Hanság and Kiskunság National Parks. The objective was to determine the prevalence and rate of sucking louse infestation and mycoplasma infection among water buffaloes. Always an area of identical size (2 cm2) was examined on the right or left side of the middle part of the animals’ neck. A total of 3106 eggs, 10 nymphs and 105 adults of the sucking louse Haematopinus tuberculatus were identified with the help of a Conrad USB microscopic camera and a Wild-Leitz-Leica M420 photomacroscope. The data were evaluated using the Quantitative Parasitology software QP 3.0. The prevalence of mycoplasmas was determined in 20 randomly selected buffaloes of two national parks with the help of sterile nasal and vaginal transport swabs (Sarstedt). All of the 10 nasal swabs collected from buffaloes in the Balaton Uplands National Park contained Mycoplasma bovirhinis and three swab samples yielded M. bovis as well. Mycoplasma bovirhinis was cultured from 8 out of 10 swabs taken from the vagina, and three vaginal samples also yielded M. bovis. Similar results were obtained by testing samples collected from buffaloes in the Kiskunság National Park (Mórahalom). All ten nasal swab samples yielded M. bovirhinis. From two samples a mixture of M. bovirhinis and M. bovis was cultured. Nine out of the 10 vaginal swabs yielded M. bovirhinis while two showed a combined infection by M. bovis and M. bovirhinis.

Atlas Florae EuropaeaeNotes 28. Disentangling the Taxonomic Circumscription ofSorbus subdanubialis(Rosaceae)

The current circumscription of Sorbus subdanubialis includes several taxa. By lectotypification this name is applied to a species that is restricted to the Gomor-Torna Karst in southeastern Slovakia and adjacent Hungary. A new description and revised distribution map of S. subdanubialis are presented. Using flow cytometry analysis it is recognised as triploid. Other populations from the Buda and Pilis Mts., the western Balaton Uplands and Keszthely Mts., previously assigned to S. subdanubialis, turned out to represent two undescribed triploid and presumably apomictic species, endemic to Hungary. The former records of S. subdanubialis from the Vertes Mts. belong mostly to S. pannonica and S. ulmifolia, both endemic to western Hungary. A morphometric analysis of leaf characters demonstrated that the leaf dentation and leaf dimensions are most important in distinguishing between S. subdanubialis, S. danubialis and two undescribed species (to be described later), whereas the leaf shape (apex and base) has an ...

Atlas Florae EuropaeaeNotes 29. Two New Species ofSorbus(Rosaceae) Endemic to Hungary, Previously Confused withS. subdanubialis

Two triploid and presumably apomictic species of Sorbus (Rosaceae), endemic to Hungary, are described as new to science: S. ujhelyii Somlyay & Sennikov from the Buda and Pilis Mts. within the Transdanubian Mts. in Budapest and its vicinities, and S. keszthelyensis Somlyay & Sennikov from the western Balaton Uplands and Keszthely Mts. in the westernmost part of the Hungarian Middle Range in Transdanubia. These taxa have so far been included in S. subdanubialis.