Hungary is a country rich in natural assets, thanks biogeographical region (or Pannonicum). In
to its geographical location, geological history, addition to the fact that the contribution of
geomorphological diversity and biogeographical Hungary’s natural heritage is of utmost impor-
situation. Its unique natural heritage is particularly tance to the preservation of the region’s natural
evident when one examines some of its communi- values, it also means that Hungary shoulders the
ties, plant and animal species, as well as caves. largest responsibility for their protection.
The Hungarian natural environment In September 2008, 9% of Hungary’s ter-
clearly shares many of the general features of the ritory was protected by national law, 16% of
Carpathian Basin, such as the diversity and mo- which was accorded ‘strictly protected’ sta-
saic-like pattern of habitats, their conservation tus (Figure 54, tables 6 and 7). All caves (4,077),
status and the strong impact visible through so- springs (2,479), swallets (459), bogs (837), alkali
cial restructuring. The rich wildlife consists of a lakes (317), tumuli (1,732) and earthen fortifica-
mix of Eurasian, European, Continental, Pontic, tions (378) are protected by the Act on Nature
Submediterranean and Subatlantic flora and fauna. Conservation. In addition, 63 forest reserves
This heterogeneity is further diversified by certain have been designated as protected land.
Subalpine and Boreal elements as well as relic spe- Caves have been protected by law since
cies. The large-scale, latitudinal zonation of habitats 1961. 4,077 caves are known to exist in the coun-
across the lowlands of East Europe are fragmented try today, of which 147 have received ’strictly
here into mosaic-structured landscapes each with protected’ status. The total length of all known
an individual character, maintaining special habi- passages is 234 km. Highlights include the large
tats and association complexes. hydrothermal caves of the Budapest thermal
Within the European Union, Hungary’s karst with their extraordinarily rich formations,
land area represents the majority of a particular as well as the caves of the Bükk Mountains and
bioregional ecological complex, the Pannonic the Aggtelek Karst. Since 2007, 11 of the 500 dif-
Table 6. Total extension of different categories of protected area (2003, 2008)
Number (pc) Area (ha)
Category of protected area
01.01.2003 30.09.2008 01.01.2003 30.09.2008
National parks 10 10 484,883 484,114
Landscape protection areas 36 37 309,817 323,167
Nationally protected nature conservation sites 142 163 25,927 29,226
Nationally protected natural monument 1 1 0 0
Total of natural areas protected by individual legislative acts 189 211 820,627 836,507
Nature conservation sites designated by local governments 1,225 1,296 36,700 39,464
Total of protected natural areas 1,414 1,507 857,327 875,971
Source: State Secretariat for Nature and Environment Protection, Ministry of Environment and Water
(www.kvvm.hu)
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ferent mineral types found within these caves Balaton-Bakony) have been accorded Geopark
are also protected. Two sites that possess a status. The karst, mineral and medicinal waters
particularly rich geological heritage (Nógrád, of the country are also of extraordinary value.
Conservation Status
Over 30% of the country’s terrain consists of a variety With regards to future trends, the ecological
of important habitats in near-unspoilt condition and/ impacts of climate change are barely predictable,
or giving home to species of major interest to conser- but it is important to be aware of the sensibility and
vation. However, of the 46 Annex I natural habitat vulnerability of our ecological systems. It is expected
types to be found in Hungary, only 11% were in a that the boundaries of vegetation zones will shift,
‘favourable’ conservation condition according to the the ranges of native species will shrink and the en-
2007 assessment carried out under the guidance of croachment of invasive species will, in the long run,
the European Commission, while 20% were in an decrease biodiversity. It is wetlands that are most
‘unfavourable’ and 67% in a ‘bad’ condition. The 211 exposed to climate change.
species listed by the Habitats Directive received the Native, self-sustaining ecosystems are present
following conservation assessment: 25% favourable, in relatively isolated locations within the Carpathian
47% unfavourable and 12% bad. Basin, further increasing their susceptibility and
A number of plant associations, including vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. This
all natural forest associations and approximately highlights the importance of ecological connections
20–25% of their species can be considered to be un- among areas giving home to native wildlife, by
der threat. However, Hungary’s natural heritage still maintaining or restoring migration corridors.
stands up very well to international comparison.
In 1990, the Hungarian National Authority for over only 19,500 ha of protected land. By 2008,
Nature Conservation had management rights this area had extended over 275,708 ha (of which
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33,504 ha was forest) of particularly valuable pro- National Park provides a habitat for Hutsul po-
tected land, preserved for the nation under the nies, while the Hortobágy National Park is home
management of the national park directorates. to Przewalski horses and the Nonius stud.
The national park directorates are respon- A fundamental issue for Hungarian na-
sible for game management in nearly 155,000 ha ture conservation is its harmonious co-existence
of protected area. The cornerstone of the man- with agriculture, regional policy, infrastructure
agement of protected grassland is the attention development and tourism. The national na-
given to the proper density and species (or even ture conservation authority undertakes major
breed) of grazing animals. Significant quantities projects for ecotourism, and also supports tra-
of native Hungarian livestock breeds, graze in the ditional landscape management by successfully
areas managed by the national park directorates, running the ‘Environmentally Sensitive Areas’
such as Hungarian Grey Cattle, water buffaloes, scheme, through EU-funded agri-environmen-
native sheep breeds (racka, cigája and cikta), tal allotment for the management of 120,000 ha
as well as Hungarian Pied cattle. The Aggtelek (Figure 57).
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forests. The 1879 Act on Forests laid down regu- Act decree No 8 of 1961 was the first to
lations applicable to the songbird trade, whilst provide an exclusive framework for the regu-
in 1883 an act was passed on hunting, and on lation of nature conservation. From that year
the protection of songbirds. In 1893, the famous a separate act designated all caves protected
Hungarian naturalist, Ottó Herman established by law. The National Authority for Nature
the Hungarian Ornithological Centre. The Conservation was set up in 1962 and was trans-
first ordinance on bird protection was issued formed into the National Environmental and
in 1901, providing legal protection to 132 bird Nature Conservation Authority in 1977. A 1982
species and a few species of mammals. In 1906, decree contained lists of ‘protected’ and ‘strictly
Parliament ratified the 1902 Paris Convention for protected’ plant and animal species, the theoreti-
the Protection of Birds useful to Agriculture. cal value of their individuals, as well as the list of
The first high-level, comprehensive law on ‘strictly protected’ areas. The National Authority
nature conservation in Hungary was the 1935 Act for Nature Conservation within the Ministry
on Forests and Nature Conservation that provided of Environment and Water Management in-
for the protection of certain plant and animal spe- herited nature conservation responsibilities in
cies as well as natural areas and habitats. In 1939, 1990, which it held until 2006 in the capacity
the designation of certain sites of outstanding natu- of a central (governmental) body. Today, the
ral value began. The Minister for Agriculture issued central governance, co-ordination and supervi-
a decree in 1946 to provide for the surveillance and sion of nature conservation at a national level
wardening of several particularly precious reserves. are the direct responsibility of the Ministry of
The National Nature Conservation Council was es- Environment and Water Management.
tablished in 1950. Four years later, a government
decree regulated the protection of birds.
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