Habitat Mosaics of Sand Steppes and Forest-Steppes in the Ipoly Valley in Hungary

Abstract

The present study focuses on the mosaic-like occurrences of patches of steppes and fore-steppes in the Pannonian forest-steppe zone. We present the current vegetation, which is maintained including by human landscape use, i.e., grazing and mowing. The area is complex and for this reason it shows the changes in the landscape and differences in the vegetation more diversely. We wanted to answer the questions: Do sand steppes and forest-steppes occur in the Ipoly Valley and what location? What kind of environmental effects influence the species composition on these areas? Besides classic habitat mapping, are the satellite data from Sentinel-2A useful for distinction of different areas? Comparison of vegetation patches was based on the Hungarian habitat classification system (ÁNÉR). Based on satellite images, quantile data of the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used for comparison. Based on the result, water bodies and urban areas are clearly distinguishable from other natural habitats. In some natural vegetation types, we found visible differences, such as grasslands, i.e., sandy steppe meadows and shrubby, woody vegetation patches. Sandy vegetation mainly grows on calcareous soils, which appear to be mosaic-like in the landscape on raised alluvials on the patches of past islands and reefs. From open to continuous closed grasslands, these vegetation types mainly grow on lithosoils. New occurrences of Pannonian sandy vegetation were discovered. In the sandy areas along the Ipoly Valley, open sandy grasslands were found, which is where the northernmost known occurrences of this vegetation type are. Besides common sandy grassland species, the vegetation also contains herbs that are typical in loess-grasslands and it is maintained by grazing, similarly to the eastern Pannonian area. This type of grazing can be useful when maintaining the mosaic-like appearance and diversity of the vegetation.

Pannon homoki legelők vizsgálata az Ipoly mentén

“…Based on our observations, it can be seen that within each habitat patch, which can be separated as a relatively unit patch during habitat mapping (Járdi et al, 2021;T.-Járdi et al, 2022), it is also suitable for more detailed analysis and more accurate monitoring of changes (Burai et al, 2016). In the recordings, in addition to Festuca rupicola, Festuca pseudovina also occurred in the more degraded areas, and we also found the species Festuca ovina.…”

“…The correlation between soil moisture content and vegetation heterogeneity has already been demonstrated along other watercourses in the Pannonian region (Mjazovszky et al, 2007). Changes in groundwater clearly influence the spatial arrangement of vegetation types (Verrasztó, 2010;Járdi et al, 2021).…”

A villanypásztor két oldalán

“…A természetvédelmi gyakorlatban a legeltetés az egyik leginkább alkalmazott gyakorlat, amelynek gazdasági eredményei is vannak, sőt mozgatórúgója is lehet (Deák et al, 2016(Deák et al, , 2020Ordas et al, 2011;Török et al, 2014Török et al, , 2018Penksza et al, 2013Penksza et al, , 2021Penksza et al, , 2022Magyar et al, 2017;Szabó et al, 2010Szabó et al, , 2011. Leginkább magyar szürke szarvasmarhával végeznek legeltetést, de a magyar tarka-vagy húsmarhával is történik (Járdi et al, 2017(Járdi et al, , 2021T-Járdi et al, 2022;Fűrész et al, 2022;Hajnáczki et al, 2021;Kovácsné Koncz et al, 2017;Tasi et al, 2014;Halász et al, 2015;Kárpáti et al, 2004). A magyar szürke szarvasmarhával folytatott legeltetés az alacsony szelektivitása miatt általában alkalmasabb a füves területek biodiverzitásának megőrzésére, melynek eredményeképpen természetközeli élőhelyek alakulhatnak ki, ellentétben a lóval, birkával vagy a kecskével történő legeltetéssel (Haraszty, 2014;Póti, 1998;Bedő és Póti, 1999;Póti et al, 2007;Bedő et al, 2005).…”

Degradation degree evolution under different grassland management

“…A kaszálás elmaradása miatt a réteken megindul az elnádasodás, a száraz területeken pedig a fás szárú növények térhódítása kezdődik meg (Bajor et al, 2016;Penksza et al, 2021;Járdi et al, 2021;Mészáros et al, 2016). A cserjésedéssel csökken a gyepeknek a fajgazdasága Erdős et al (2013Erdős et al ( , 2014a megállapítása szerint.…”