At paleontological excavations, the use of digital surveying tools is becoming more frequent to measure the geographical location of specimens. This technology filtrates into the discipline of paleontology from archaeology, where the mapping methodology is quite similar, and the GIS as a standard tool for analysis is more widespread. The result of such a survey is a geodatabase, which forms the basis of subsequent analyses. The workflow is represented as the: 1) surveying, 2) database building, and 3) spatial analysis creating maps or 3D models. The presented methodological paper describes the details of the workflow, explaining the best practices and highlighting those issues which are necessary to be targeted even on the field. The methods tackle the optimal database structure, the spatial querying, which is managed from simple data table formats, and the 3D modelling. Explanations for these topics are given throughout specific programs; however, the tasks are also described generally enabling the reader to apply the described method to other programs. The data structure is explained through Excel worksheets, and for the analysis, an Excel-based macro script was developed, which is published as a supplementary material of this paper. Complex spatial analyses and visualization were done with Jewel Suite, a geological 3D modelling application. Demonstrating the workflow, three types of taphonomical inquiries are discussed using the surveyed materials of the Santonian dinosaur bed at the Iharkút site (Hungary). This technique is easily applied and becomes an important tool to obtain more precise taxonomical, taphonomical, and paleoecological interpretations in fossil excavations.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has primary importance in terms of soil physics, fertility and even of climate change control. An intensively cultivated Cambisol was studied in order to quantify SOC redistribution under subhumid climate. One hundred soil samples were taken from the representative points of the solum along the slopes from the depth of 20-300 cm with a mean 1.2 % SOC content. They were measured by the simultaneous application of diffuse reflectance (240-1900 nm) and traditional physico-chemical methods in order to compare the results. On the basis of the results hierarchical cluster analyses were performed. The spatial pattern of the groups created were similar, and even though the classifications were not the same, diffuse reflectance has proven to be a suitable method for soil/sediment classification even within a given arable field. Both organic and inorganic carbon distribution was found a proper tool for estimations of past soil erosion process. Results show SOC enrichment on two sedimentary spots with different geomorphological positions. Soil organic matter compound also differs between the two spots due to selective deposition of the delivered organic matter. The components of low molecular weight reach the bottom of the slope and there can leach into the profile, while the more polymerised organic matter compounds are delivered and deposited even before, on a higher segment of the slope in an aggregated form. This spatial difference appears below the uppermost tilled soil layer as well; referring the lower efficiency of conventional ploughing tillage in spatial soil homogenisation.

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Abstract:The Buda Thermal Karst System is located under the densely populated hills of Budapest. One of its caves (Pál-völgy Cave System) is the longest cave of Hungary with 30.1 km. The research was done in this area as a methodological study to estimate karst porosity parameters of aquifers or hydrocarbon reservoirs. In this study two modeling methods are demonstrated. The volumetric modeling method was primarily aimed to determine the macro-scale (>0.5 m) conduit porosity (referred as macroporosity) of the study area as percentage of the incorporating limestone and marl. This method is based on archive survey data (maps and records). Through this method, morphometric parameters and the approximate sizes of the unexplored cave parts were also calculated. The porosity modeling was aimed at the estimation of the meso-scale (0.02-0.5 m) and macro-scale conduit porosity. It is based on rock face measurements near the Pál-völgy Cave System and image analysis. The matching macroporosity estimations of the two methods suggest that the map-based volumetric modeling method can be a useful tool for karstologists and modeling experts to extract as much information as possible from existing cave maps, even if the records of the original survey were lost or scanty. With the matrix porosity data published earlier from this area, and the conduit porosity calculated from the models, hydrological models of the area can be completed.cave surveys; karst porosity; 3D models; Buda Thermal Karst System; porosity model

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.

Geodiversity is the variety of natural elements that are excluded from biodiversity, such as: geological, geomorphological, and soil features including their properties, systems, and relationships. Geodiversity assessment measures these features, emphasising the characteristics and physical fragility of the examined areas. In this study, a quantitative methodology has been applied in Bakony–Balaton UGGp, Hungary. The Geopark’s area was divided into 2 × 2 km cells in which geodiversity indices were calculated using various data: maps, spatial databases, and elevation models. However, data sources differ significantly in each country: thematic information may not be entirely public or does not have the appropriate scale and complexity. We proposed to use universal data—geomorphons and a watercourse network—derived from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to calculate geomorphological diversity. Making a balance between the base materials was also an aim of this research. As sources with different data densities are used, some abiotic elements may be overrepresented, while others seem to have less significance. The normalisation of thematic layers solves this problem: it gives a proportion to each sub-element and creates a balanced index. By applying worldwide accessible digital base data and statistical standardization methods, abiotic nature quantification may open new perspectives in geoconservation.

Landslides pose a threat to property both in the populated and cultivated areas of the Gerecse Hills (Hungary). The currently available landslide inventory database holds the records from many sites in the area, but the database is out-of-date. Here we address the problem of revising the National Landslides Cadastre landslide inventory database by creating a landslide susceptibility map with a multivariate model based on likelihood ratio functions. The model is applied to the TanDEM-X DEM (0.4″ res.), the current landslide inventory of the area, and data acquired from geological maps. By comparing the distributions of four variables in the landslide and non-landslide area with grid computation methods, the model yields landslide susceptibility estimates for the study area. The estimations show to what extent a certain area is similar to the sample areas, therefore, its likelihood to be affected by landslides in the future. The accuracy of the model predictions was checked in the field and compared to the results of our previous study using the SRTM-1 DEM for a similar analysis. The model gave accurate estimates when certain correction measures were applied to the input datasets. The limitations of the model, the input datasets, and the suggested correction measures are also discussed.

Ankylosaurian fossils are usually standard elements of Cretaceous continental vertebrate localities, however bone-yielding horizons including more than one individual are extremely rare. Here we present a unique assemblage of 12 partial articulated or associated ankylosaurian skeletons and thousands of isolated bones and teeth discovered from the Santonian Iharkút vertebrate locality, western Hungary. Collected from an area of 600 m 2 and from a single bone bed, this material is one of the richest ankylosaurian accumulation worldwide. The 12 skeletons are not monospecific but, mostly based on the pelvic armor composition, six of them are from Hungarosaurus, two are referred to Struthiosaurus and four can be assigned to Nodosauridae indet. Sedimentological and taphonomical examinations revealed a single mass mortality event as the cause of the death and accumulation of these quadruped animals that are described here. The ankylosaur assemblage from Iharkút suggests at least a temporarily gregarious behavior of these animals and also shows that Hungarosaurus and Struthiosaurus might lived in the same moist habitat or at least preferred relatively close environments.