EAF Projects HungaryCsikólegelö meadow

Aims of the project
The project aims to purchase the meadow and conserve the biodiversity of it, restoring the characteristic pasture lands and preserving traditional domestic animal breeds.

Location
The meadow is situated in south west Hungary in the county of Somogy, near the village of Somogyfajsz.

Natural values
It is a species rich grassland habitat including some wet and dry wooded pasture areas. It is situated within an area that stretches from Lake Balaton to the River Drava and represents a green corridor between the two catchment areas. It enables the survival of several important species and allows their further migration. As its name suggests, it is a rich grassland habitat and a rare, and protected, insect, the crested grasshopper - Acrida hungarica - can be found there.

Threats
The meadow itself is threatened by the intrusion of intensive agriculture and land re-organisation. Any change in land-use e.g. conversion to commercial woodland or as arable land would eradicate its natural value.

Conservation status
The meadow is a buffer zone of the Boronka Landscape Protection Area.

Planning and budget
It is the intention to embrace the meadow in a Hungarian Grey cattle breeding programme which will re-introduce this ancient breed of cattle back to the Hungarian landscape. The breed is more fitted to grazing these areas than other, introduced breeds. In this way, it will be possible to conserve nature and give local farmers an increased and sustainable income.

The project began in 1998 and and has now been completed. The project is participating in the Ten for Nature project. The work cost € 9075.

Project co-ordination
The project was carried out by the Green Corridor Public Funds.