tarsadalom-kert

Society

Ecology is a field of natural science that has significant societal relevance, as its questions and answers reflect on the major issues of our time, affecting the present and future of all of us, and requiring both high-quality scientific research and active societal engagement. Some of our research must involve the public, and we need to make science-based recommendations to decision-makers and economic stakeholders to protect the common good and nature. Our mission is to inform the general public, to develop ecological literacy and to communicate effectively with society, without which no real results can be achieved in tackling the ecological crisis.

Serving the public

The programme aims to continuously assess and monitor the mosquito population in Hungary. Monitoring invasive mosquitoes is of paramount importance because these invasive species have the potential to spread a number of pathogens that are dangerous to both humans and domestic animals, thus posing a continuing epidemiological threat. We collect data on the distribution and activity of the different species throughout the year through citizen observation reports and field trap sampling. The collected samples are continuously screened for various pathogens by genetic methods, and we create distribution maps of the results, which are then made available to everyone.

Go to Mosquito Monitor page

The National Botanical Garden (NBK) is the richest scientific collection of living plants in Hungary and thus a gene bank of strategic importance. It maintains and presents tens of thousands of individuals of nearly 13,000 species and varieties and provides research and educational infrastructure. NBK is one of the most visited ecotouristic attractions in the country, receiving more than 100,000 visitors a year, and their number is steadily increasing.

Go to National Botanical Garden page

The main objective of forest reserve research is the long-term scientific study of the unique fauna, structure and functioning of natural forests in the national network of the reserve core areas, which are entirely excluded from forest management. Further aims are knowledge transfer and dissemination for near-natural forest management, nature conservation management and sustainable land use.

Tovább az Erdő rezervátum oldalára

The ecological monitoring of watercourses includes monitoring the Danube with high-resolution complex chemical and biological analyses. We perform these analyses on water samples, focusing on monitoring the concentrations of new industrial pollutants and specific groups of organisms. We also monitor small intermittent watercourses, in which we examine the effects of water storage and dehydration on the environmental parameters of the waters and benthic communities. Finally, we monitor beavers in terms of their distribution and landscape-engineering activities.

Go to Riverine webpage

Citizen science

Citizen science collaboration to map the degree of invasive yellow fever mosquito in Hungary

As a result of climate change, intensive trade and tourism, more and more invasive species are moving from tropical habitats to Europe. As a result, three new species of yellow fever mosquitoes have arrived in Hungary, which can potentially spread many pathogens that are dangerous to humans and domestic animals. To understand the ecological and epidemiological threat and to develop the necessary control strategies, we need to know the spatial and temporal patterns of the distribution of these species and their role in the spread of each pathogen. To this end, we have launched a nationwide citizen science program to monitor the ecological status of species based on public reports.

Go to Mosquito Monitor page

Citizen science-based survey of garden ponds in Hungary

MyPond is a project based on community data collection launched in 2021. Our goal is to assess the number, location, general characteristics, and management methods of garden ponds in Hungary. We collect data on environmental parameters and eDNA-based biodiversity, which contributes to mapping not only native biodiversity but also the spread of invasive mosquitoes. Based on the results, we also provide management suggestions to the public.

Go to MyPond page

The community bat survey was launched in 2019 and aims to monitor bats with the active participation of the population. For the time being, the recordings took place in and around Budapest once a year, during which the participants collected data as part of a walk with automatic data loggers. In the future, we would also like to involve the public in surveying the behavior of bats to better understand how bats adapt to the human environment, especially to artificial smooth surfaces (windows, glass buildings, solar panels) around which ultrasound orientation is problematic.

Community data collection for a better understanding of an ecosystem engineer species

The Eurasian beaver is an ecosystem engineer species that has become extinct in Hungary. Its habitat transformation activities have significant implications for both nature and man. The aim of our project is to involve the population in monitoring the distribution and landscaping activities of beavers. The data submitted will not be made publicly available, but by analyzing the uploads, participating researchers can actively assist professionals in the sectors concerned as well as well-thought-out, scientifically sound planning of the species ’population. In parallel with the community data collection, our field surveys on the effects of beavers are ongoing.

Go to Beavermap page

The citizen science program, launched in 2021, aims to follow the emergence of non-native ticks in Hungary, primarily Hyalomma ticks, with the help of the population. With the long-term operation of the Tick Monitor, we want to enable the targeted monitoring of tick species important for public and animal health and the pathogens they spread and the prevention of the diseases they cause.

Go to Tick Monitoring page

Community data collection on water blooming and mass fish mortality

Water blooming associated with the mass extinction of fish is an increasingly common phenomenon in Hungarian small and large lakes. The background of the phenomenon and the causes of algal blooms are well known, however, the number of water bodies affected by algal blooms and the extent of the phenomenon are not known. The aim of our project is to assess the extent to which water blooms and the associated mass extinction of fish occur in Hungarian surface waters, which is affected by climate change and the intensity of lake use. In addition to data on the location and time of water blooms, we also collect data on the occurrence of easily recognizable, spectacular species that reflect the ecological status of water bodies. In data collection, we expect the activity of anglers not only, but primarily.

The aim of the project is to bring nature closer to people, and even into their homes and gardens, contributing to a more natural urban environment. Some of the native plant species of the Hungarian flora, can be just as attractive on balconies and in gardens as commercially available, often alien ornamental plants. In addition to raising awareness, the aim of the project is to offer a tangible, nature-friendly solution for those involved in the research: we give the participants wildflower seeds that they can plant in their homes, to increase the native biodiversity in the gardens. We also aim to gather information on the state of Hungarian gardens and their lawns, and people’s attitudes towards nature-friendly gardening practices.

Garden on the Cube

Garden on the Cube, namely culture, botany and ecology, and all these in Hungary's most species-rich botanical garden. We launched the science communication project in 2021 to provide ecological knowledge to the general public through cultural experiences – first-hand from scientists. In this interdisciplinary programme series, we serve natural science together with social science and the arts to give a more complete picture for understanding. Discussions between scientists, garden cinema, book launch, concerts, exhibitions, botanical tours and ecological adventure tours complete the palette.

Go to Garden on the Cube page

Society

Serving the public

Citizen science

Garden on the Cube

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