Anikó's BioArea HU by Anikó Béltekiné Gál https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8 Merzse Marshland Nature Reserve - the metropolitan wetland en-us 2019-01-30 00:51:51 UTC 2023-01-23 20:14:11 UTC hello@padlet.com Area description profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325668865
  • It consist of 3 connected parts: two marshes: Great and Little Merzse and Gyolcsrét meadow spotted with groves and pastures. This wetland area is one of the few remains of one time extended lowland bogs that were characteristic throughout the plain areas of the country, including the lowland part of the capital  city. Due to river regulation (19th century) and later drainage (mid-20th c.) of marshes and bogs to acquire more land for agricultural production.
  • The larger bog has got floating islands and big reedbeds, while the smaller one is quite shrubby and more sheltered. 
]]> 2019-01-30 01:01:18 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325668865 Present status profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669014
  • Locally protected since 1974 - Although not a biological hotspot, but endemic fish species used to inhabit it even a few decades ago, when water was much more abundant.
  • Ownership: state owned area 
  • Agriculture: enclosed by arable land (Many landowners around, mostly sharing small plots) 
  • woodland plantations: oak (Quercus robur), silver poplar (Populus alba), white locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).  
  • Sources of water supply: groundwater and precipitation. Thin watercourse from nearby (5 km) temporary spring which is threatened by construction works  
  • The Merzse-marsh Nature Reserve is a popular bird-watching place


    • ]]>     2019-01-30 01:02:06 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669014     Flora profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669197 4 fern species,  131dicotyledons, 51 monocotyledons.
    I found a strange looking fungus, white/elffin saddle (Helvella crispa).
    Some protected species:
    Orchid living in the oak wood:
    Narrow-leaved helleborine
    (Cephalanthera longifolia) see picture.  Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) and Tallós nőszőfű
    (Epipactis tallosii Molnár & Robatsch 1997), bitter willow (Salix eleagnos) with  distinctively narrow leaves

    However, some other orchids and Colchicus autumnalis from the former wet meadows disappeared recently. Opening up meadows by grazing or taking the debris off may help them to recover.
    ]]>     2019-01-30 01:03:16 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669197     Protected fauna profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669217 Mud-minnow (Umbra krameri) and European weather  fish (Misgurnus fossilis)  endemic fish species - locally extinct, but might be restored

    Green lizzards (Lacerta viridis), Frogs: e. g. fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina),
    Danube crested newt (Triturus dobrogicus)
    European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)
    176 bird species observed in the last 15 years - uniqueily species rich area in Budapest.
    Birds: great black woodpecker (Dendrocopus major),     fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) - flocks of hundreds in wintertime, mistle trush (Turdus viscivorus), waterbirds: mallard and migratory ducks, grey and red heron, great egret, Eurasian bittern (Botaurus stellaris), little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), szárcsa, swan, raven, partridge
    Raptors -     marsh harrier, kestrel,
    a tiny mammal:     Hazel dormouse –(Muscardinus avellanarius) - sleeps often in nest boxes 

    Games pecies: roe deer, hare, phaesant, occassionally wild boar]]>     2019-01-30 01:03:23 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669217     Threats profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669236
  • Habitat loss of orchids, 
  • Drop of water table, drying out, open water surface shrinked to a few hundred m2 due to  former  meliorisation of arable land and gradual sanitation of urban environment. 
  • Severe droughts  
  • Invasive alian species: milkweed (Asclepius syriaca), goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), Koi fish (from aquarists), 
  • New owner started clear cutting  poplar plantation (2019)
  • Urbanization: the marsh lays in the largest district of the city: Rákosmente (Nr. 17) (54.83 km2 , population 80 000+; the capital city has 2 million inhabitants.) 
  • Residential home constructions, sanitation -  and motorway constructions nearby
  • Recreational pressure 
  • Neighbouring international airport (conflicts with birds of preys hunting at airport fields)
  • Hunting (small game, roe deer)
    • ]]>     2019-01-30 01:03:32 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669236     Story: Actions taken recently 2 profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669449
  • Bird watching hide penetrated through reedbed well into the water. In fear of  disturbing waterbirds it was demolished. A new birdwatching tower was set up instead a bit farther, near the pathway.  
  • Artificial nestbox colony established in oak wood.  Checked regularly. Supplements the few nesting opportunities in forest plantations. 
  • There is a signed nature trail with signboards 
  • Occasional ornithological demonstrations held for the public  (birdwatching and ringing  events ) 
  • Photo: The old hide
    • ]]>     2019-01-30 01:04:58 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669449     What should be achieved? profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669611
    • Local efforts focused on possible means of wetland restoration > stable water supply, wet meadows >  habitat restoration for recently locally extinct species - good examples from an NGO: http://www.tavirozsa-egyesulet.hu/publikaciok/Termeszeti_kincseink_vedelme_tom.pdf
    • Large open water surface exists year-long again since 2014, following habitat management (bulrush cutting) 
    • Improving conditions by water management to restore and stabilize adequate water level at Little Merzse (see actions)
    • Through a connecting canal overflowing water would supply Great Merzse
    • Photo: Danube crested newt (Triturus dobrogicus)
    ]]>     2019-01-30 01:06:01 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/325669611     Merzse Marshland profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327020484 Extended reedbeds and floating islands give shelter to shy, elusive  waterfowl and waders, as little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) and great bittern (Botaurus stellaris)]]> 2019-02-03 05:33:30 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327020484 Hazel dormaus profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327024086 (Muscardinus avellanarius) nests in the oakwood]]> 2019-02-03 06:56:08 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327024086 Mud-minnow (Umbra krameri), profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327024117 an endemic and relict fish species in the Carpathian Basin, lives in bogs and swamps. Adapted to temporarily  oxygen  poor shallow waters of drying bogs. Threatened by habitat loss and invasive fish species. ]]> 2019-02-03 06:56:45 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327024117 Merzse Marshland profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327025614 Birdwatching tower standing in the spring flood. (More photos: http://tortenetekkepekkel.blogspot.com/2015/03/merzse-mocsar.html)]]> 2019-02-03 07:23:24 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327025614 Arable lands surrounding the protectd area profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327026585 2019-02-03 07:40:22 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327026585 The expanding city is also a threatening factor profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327026708 2019-02-03 07:42:20 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327026708 Reinforced dam profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327028232 This dam helps retaining some of the run-off water coming from the built-in hills across the fields to the little marsh. The overflow finds its way towards the bigger marshy area. ]]> 2019-02-03 08:05:30 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327028232 Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327031801 2019-02-03 09:01:34 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/327031801 Map 1: profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329432298 Google map of the site]]> 2019-02-08 23:11:16 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329432298 Helvella crispa profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329438553 (photo: Nathan Wilson, Mushroom Observer 396) Can be found in the autumn, while most of its relatives come out at spring. Found some in the oak woods near Great Merzse.]]> 2019-02-09 00:32:10 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329438553 Bitter willow profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329439025 (Salix eleagnos) often forms bushes on banks/reefs. Has thinnest leaves among willows.]]> 2019-02-09 00:36:54 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329439025 Map 2: profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329441169 Interventions at Merzse Marshland (blue enclaves are protected areas)]]> 2019-02-09 01:05:51 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329441169 Map 3 profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329441523 Position of the site within the country and Europe ]]> 2019-02-09 01:10:31 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329441523 Map 4: profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329441725 Water-covered (flooded, wetland) areas in Hungary before river regulation]]> 2019-02-09 01:12:42 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329441725 Story 3. Recent/planned habitat management actions: profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329442929
  • Conservationists have cut few times rush to open up a bigger water surface 
  • Some dikes were redirected (still to be deepen and clear of deposited waste and earth) to secure water supply. To be continued. 
  • Dam strengthened at Little Merzse marsh, pool is filled with water, ducks returned 
  • Faunistic survey of fish species and aquatic plants is planned by conservationists
    • Marsh harrier hunting (photo BŁOTNIAK STAWOWY)
    ]]>     2019-02-09 01:29:34 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329442929     Location/geography profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329448277
  • Location: In the vicinity of my home: Merzse Marshland Nature Reserve is a 27 ha conservation area in the outskirts of Budapest, capital city of Hungary, Central Europe. 
  • Geography: where the Pest Plain shifts into a gently rolling landscape adjacent to Gödöllő Hills. (Runoff water supplying the marshes comes from the highest elevation: Rákoshegy hilltop 241 m). Merzse is the most extended and unperturbed wetland in the city. 
  • There is an impermeable  clay layer (clay lens) underneath the bog to be protected to retain water

    • ]]>     2019-02-09 02:50:05 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329448277     Story 1: Former intervention profimpex https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329449319 There were extensive open waters 50-60 years ago, local could paddle in a  boat and catch lots of endemic fish loach (Misgurnus fossilis) as popular food. Although water was still abundant in the bogs and the wet meadows in the late 1990's, due to more frequent summer droughts it was decided to carefully dig the debris out from the lake's bottom, without harming the water  retaining clay layer. ]]> 2019-02-09 03:07:55 UTC https://padlet.com/profimpex/7xzqv9edabh8/wish/329449319