Fish monitoring
The aim is the monitoring and surveying of data deficient, methodically challenging fish species of community interest (asp, European weatherfish, European bitterling, spined loach, European mudminnow, Petenyi's barb). Methodology development includes substituting method for genetic sampling with more economic ones, among others scale morphometry. Activity is run by Department of Aquaculture in SZIE.
Amphibian and reptile monitoring
The aim is to surveying and monitoring amphibian and reptile species connected to national wetland habitats by volunteers supervised by experts of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Group of BirdLife Hungary. Among these species pond turtle gains special attention, being data deficient and seeming declining.
Monitoring birds species in wetland and forest habitats
Monitoring Centre of BirdLife Hungary develops and coordinates monitoring of 23 data deficient bird species in wetland and forest habitats. Data contributes to management prescriptions of Natura 2000 sites in the project.
Bat monitoring
Selected bat species (barbastelle, Bechstein's bat, Natterer's bat, Alcathoe bat, Brandt's bat, whiskered bat, common noctule, greater noctule bat, pond bat, Daubenton's bat) are all in Annex II and IV of Habitats Directive and data deficient nationaly. Monitoring includes new methods used (e.g. species detection by ultrasonic recording). Activity is supervised by Mammal Conservation Group of BirdLife Hungary.
Surveying plant species
Annex plant species of Natura 2000 sites in Mátra and Kiskunság project areas are surveyed by Department of Conservation and Landscape Ecology of SZIE.
Forest monitoring
The activity harmonises previous research in forest habitats and introduces and educate an improved monitoring methodology. Main field locations are strictly protected forest reserves. Data originating from here are the reference for assesment conservation status of forestry practices. Activity is run by Centre of Ecological Research of Hungarian Academy of Science.
National trend analysis of Natura 2000 habitats
Plant based natural capital of Hungary declines by 5% annually. This activity aims the assessment of trends of 19 habitats of Community interest in 50 years, but in the scope of two last centenars of habitat changes. Activity is run by Centre of Ecological Research of Hungarian Academy of Science.
Dead wood surveys
Two-third of forest species (especially fungi and insects, but moss, bird and bat species as well) are connected to decaying wood. The activity surveys 500 managed forest sites for mass and quality of dead wood and describes moss and fungi community connected to. Activity is run by Centre of Ecological Research of Hungarian Academy of Science.
Game effects on forests
Forest quality and forest natural renewal are judged to affected by game species (deer, roe-deer, wild boar). However, there was no scientific research for this judgement. Activity develops game effect methodology and incorporates this new methodology to forest monitoring. Activity is run by Institute of Wildlife Conservation of SZIE.
Carnivorous mammal monitoring
Carnivorous mammals being top predators are important parts of habitats of Community interest. Activity monitors five carnivorous mammals (lynx, wolf, otter, wild-cat, steppe polecat, all Annex II species of Habitats Directive) and surveys common species (fox, badger, jackal) in Mátra and Kiskunság. Activity is run by Institute of Wildlife Conservation of SZIE.
Natura 2000 maintenance planning and pilot management projects
Activity produces 12 Natura 2000 maintenance plans for Mátra and Liskunság, using data produced by previous activities. Maintenance plans collect management prescriptions for all relevant land use (e.g. agriculture, forestry, game management) affecting species and habitats of Community interest. Management prescriptions are tested on pilot areas, 250-250 has in Mátra and Kiskunság from ecology and economy point of view. Activities are run by Institute of Environment and Landscape Management of SZIE.
Publicity and project management
Project consortium is lead by BirdLife Hungary, also in the role of running project magagement and publicity activities.