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Restoration and grassland management of Felsö-Kongó meadows (GRASS-TAPOLCA)
Start date: Jan 1, 2007, End date: Dec 31, 2009 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Background Tapolca Basin is located beside Lake Balaton in Hungary. During the Holocene era, the water level of the Balaton was higher, shallow stagnating waters covered the depression of Tapolca, and extended rich-fen vegetation contributed to the accumulation of organic soils (peat). Despite significant artificial drainage of the basin in the second part of 19th century, and in the first half of 20th century by converting natural streams into canals and creating drainage ditches, the Tapolca Basin is still one of the most valuable fen complexes in Hungary. The vegetation and soils of this environmentally sensitive area have a significant role to play in the quality of the water running through the basin and into the lake Balaton. Currently, the project supports the following habitats: Moor grass (Molinia) meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils; alluvial meadows of river valleys with vegetation of Cnidion dubii; lowland hay meadows. Objectives The main objectives of the project are: - Ensure the continuous management of grassland habitats of the part of the pSCI HUBF20028 (Tapolcai-medence) which are priority habitats listed in the Habitats Directive Annex I. - Summarise and continuously update the knowledge required for the habitat management, and to ensure availability of this knowledge for practitioners. - Create a professional background for the management of the priority habitats and the buffer zones. - Ensure continuous information transfer and provide information to site managers and the public. Measures to achieve these aims include: - A basilane survey of the area. - Complex rewetting activities. - Suitable management of the degraded wet meadow areas. - Monitoring the effect of the project. - Dissemination of the lessons learned and expertise gained. - Public awareness raising.
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