to year. Early mowing (before the mid-July) kills the larvae of Gortyna borelii
lunata, which remain in the stem of the food plant at this time. Also the hatching
of the imago out from the pupae form is blocked by the use of heavy mowing
machines. Therefore, hand mowing should be preferred. Natura 2000 tall herb
species Cirsium brachycephalum needs spring rains and late summer drying;
mowing harms the tall herb physiognomy. Nesting birds benefit from late mowing
(after 15 June), leaving un-mown strips to be mowed in the late summer, and
use wildlife alarming chain. If the habitat is grazed, it should be limited for the
nesting period.
Dense and tall Puccinellia swards thrive if they get regular precipitation, (not
necessarily constantly between autumn and spring, but for several shorter periods)
and then dry up for summer. This habitat presents strong sodic characteristics.
Mowing is required after nesting period. Pasture grazing should not be allowed
during wet periods. Hotter and less rainy summers will probably strengthen the
condition of this habitat; however, short-term inundation also remains important.
Excess rainfall or longer spring inundation reduces salt characteristics. This process
can be avoided by temporal overgrazing and trampling which increases open soil
surfaces and transpiration. Unbalanced circumstances caused by climate change are
beneficial for this habitat. Moderate sheep grazing is not harmful. Erosion by
overgrazing may lead to the generation of shoulders; this being a new habitat
type. If the priority is to preserve Aster tripolium, constant inundation by rain
should not be allowed and the area could be covered with water just for several
shorter periods of year.
Annual salt pioneer swards of steppes and lakes are sensitive to trampling,
especially in wetter periods, but they tolerate moderate grazing. Long lasting
water inundation and intensive transpiration is beneficial for the habitat, and hotter,
less rainy summers may also strengthen their condition. Climate extremes are
favourable for this habitat. Intensive trampling assists its generation, but may also
destroy the shoulders.
Salt marshes should experience excessive rain between late autumn and summer.
Its vegetation mainly consists of tall and rigid species unpalatable for most livestock species and breeds. Therefore, only the robust Hungarian Grey Cattle breed
(or water buffalo) is optimal for their grazing. This breed is also more resistant to
the effect of heat waves increasing especially on the Central European plain areas
(Twardosz and Batko 2012). Long water inundation and intensive transpiration is
beneficial. This habitat regenerates easily in rainy periods after drying up in dry
years, thus making the area sensitive to the climate extremities. Abolishing the
effects of past water management works (canals, ditches) may be necessary.
Occasional mowing or grazing (Hungarian Grey Cattle or water buffalo) may
prevent the expansion of this habitat type onto other ones. No invasive species
were recorded in this habitat within our study area. If the main aim is to preserve
Eleocharis uniglumis, no special management measures need to be implemented
besides the monitoring and sustaining of ample precipitation between late autumn
and summer.
204
A ´ . Malatinszky et al.
lunata, which remain in the stem of the food plant at this time. Also the hatching
of the imago out from the pupae form is blocked by the use of heavy mowing
machines. Therefore, hand mowing should be preferred. Natura 2000 tall herb
species Cirsium brachycephalum needs spring rains and late summer drying;
mowing harms the tall herb physiognomy. Nesting birds benefit from late mowing
(after 15 June), leaving un-mown strips to be mowed in the late summer, and
use wildlife alarming chain. If the habitat is grazed, it should be limited for the
nesting period.
Dense and tall Puccinellia swards thrive if they get regular precipitation, (not
necessarily constantly between autumn and spring, but for several shorter periods)
and then dry up for summer. This habitat presents strong sodic characteristics.
Mowing is required after nesting period. Pasture grazing should not be allowed
during wet periods. Hotter and less rainy summers will probably strengthen the
condition of this habitat; however, short-term inundation also remains important.
Excess rainfall or longer spring inundation reduces salt characteristics. This process
can be avoided by temporal overgrazing and trampling which increases open soil
surfaces and transpiration. Unbalanced circumstances caused by climate change are
beneficial for this habitat. Moderate sheep grazing is not harmful. Erosion by
overgrazing may lead to the generation of shoulders; this being a new habitat
type. If the priority is to preserve Aster tripolium, constant inundation by rain
should not be allowed and the area could be covered with water just for several
shorter periods of year.
Annual salt pioneer swards of steppes and lakes are sensitive to trampling,
especially in wetter periods, but they tolerate moderate grazing. Long lasting
water inundation and intensive transpiration is beneficial for the habitat, and hotter,
less rainy summers may also strengthen their condition. Climate extremes are
favourable for this habitat. Intensive trampling assists its generation, but may also
destroy the shoulders.
Salt marshes should experience excessive rain between late autumn and summer.
Its vegetation mainly consists of tall and rigid species unpalatable for most livestock species and breeds. Therefore, only the robust Hungarian Grey Cattle breed
(or water buffalo) is optimal for their grazing. This breed is also more resistant to
the effect of heat waves increasing especially on the Central European plain areas
(Twardosz and Batko 2012). Long water inundation and intensive transpiration is
beneficial. This habitat regenerates easily in rainy periods after drying up in dry
years, thus making the area sensitive to the climate extremities. Abolishing the
effects of past water management works (canals, ditches) may be necessary.
Occasional mowing or grazing (Hungarian Grey Cattle or water buffalo) may
prevent the expansion of this habitat type onto other ones. No invasive species
were recorded in this habitat within our study area. If the main aim is to preserve
Eleocharis uniglumis, no special management measures need to be implemented
besides the monitoring and sustaining of ample precipitation between late autumn
and summer.
204
A ´ . Malatinszky et al.