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The importance and maintenance of transitional habitats in Őrség National Park

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01.03.2010

The importance and maintenance of transitional habitats in Őrség National Park

Transitional habitats exist on the border of open and forest habitats and include forest edges, hedges, shelterbelts, woodlots and fallow lands. These habitats were once common in Őrség National Park as a result of traditional land use systems. Small patches of woodland were interspersed with meadows and arable lands, so the area of forest edges was large. Arable lands and meadows were often set aside for many years and so succession could move forward and transitional shrublands developed on extensive areas. Forest were often cut down and grazed afterwards creating large areas of edge habitats.

Due to their special microclimate transitional habitats host special wildlife and a great biodiversity. Daphne cneorum subsp. arbuscoloides, Pyrola rotundifolia, Chimaphila umbellate, Calluna vulgaris and Lycopodium clavatum grow in forest edges and hedges. These plants host a special insect community, including several threatened species such as Colias myrmidone, Leptidea morsei major, Maculinea arion and Libelloides macaronius. Two of the most rare bird species, Caprimulgus europaeus and Scolopax rusticola also nest in these habitats.

Current changes in land use, namely the increase in the area of closed forests and static land use forms caused the dramatic decline of transitional habitats and threaten their rich wildlife. Our national park launched two projects to save these valuable habitats. In one of the projects we establish hedges and shelterbelts in our pastures, in another we create wide forest edges along roads and electric power lines. In addition forest owners can apply for subsidy payments to maintain forest gaps and farmers to create hedges. This way we hope we can maintain our highly important transitional habitats in Őrség National Park.

Istvan Szentirmai, National park Őrség, Hungary

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