|Biosphere Reserve Information|
Located in the Great Hungarian Plain, Hortobágy Biosphere Reserve is a vast flat steppe landscape (‘Hungarian Puszta’) which recalls features of the East Asian steppes in central Europe. However, Hortobágy is not only a short grass alkali steppe but also comprises springs, canals, bogs, swamps, fishponds and forests. It comprises the most important bird migration site in the Carpathian Basin, which is designated as a Ramsar site.
Man played a dominant role in the formation of the Hortobágy landscape. The once forested steppe with impenetrable swamps in lower areas, used to be under the influence of the Tisza River that was meandering through the plain. River regulation and the spread of animal husbandry caused major changes of the landscape: large areas became deforested and steppe formations advanced. Today, the landscape is maintained by the combined efforts of nature conservation and traditional farming. Nomadic animal husbandry is on decline, however Hungarian grey cattle, racka sheep, mangalica pig etc. are still kept for gene preservation and tourist attraction. Visitors of the area can learn about the history of the landscape in exhibitions, the Hortobágy Shepherd’s museum and on marked trails.
|Major ecosystem type||Temperate broad-leaf forest|
|Major habitats & land cover types|
|Location||47°25' to 47°15'N; 20°54' to 21°21'E|
|Transition area(s) when given|
|Altitude (metres above sea level)|
|Last updated: 01/01/1992|