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RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Introduction The Ministry of Environment and Water set Environmental Protection and Water Management Research Institute the execution of a comprehensive analysis of the operation of observation systems accomplished over the Upper-Danube as a task, and this together with the elaboration of recommendations, with distinguished attention paid to the relevant parts of the Water Framework Directive (hereinafter WFD) of the EU. Upper-Danube means in our paper the Szigetköz stretch of the Danube. The comprehensive review and the elaboration of recommendations shall cover observation systems operational in the Szigetköz region, incorporating the following main units:
Observations continued on the basis of the Agreement titled: "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Hungary and the Government of the Slovak Republic concerning certain temporary technical measures and discharges in the Danube and in the Mosoni branch of the Danube" do not qualify like an independent scope of measurements, since they are component parts of the survey programs enumerated above anyhow. Work was accomplished in two phases. The first phase concentrates on collecting data on observation systems already operating giving account about their operation, about the groups of parameters presently recorded and also about the locations of these facilities. (Comprehensive overview of the operation of observation systems established on the Upper-Danube, September 2005, hereinafter Evaluating Survey). Whilst elaborating on the Evaluating Survey we did already give due attention to the envisaged tasks of the second phase. We have for instance collected different regulations of the EU, - needless to say that environmental monitoring played the role of the focal point at that - and submitted a couple of general proposals in different professional fields. Working methods in the first phase were restricted, with special weight given to permanent – primarily Internet-based – consultations with institutions or with certain professional persons engaged in monitoring programs whatsoever. As a result of that we were in possession of basic data of all of the observation stations located in the Szigetköz, data, which are to be seen in the tables of the Evaluating Survey. Whilst working on our recommendations due attention was still given to the national reports prepared to be annexed to the "Country Reviews" and the Government Decree, passed as practical guide to the implementation of Natura 2000 (digital version in the Attachment).
The elaboration of the stuff of the second phase mainly requires the collection of proposals to further operation, (hereinafter: Recommendations). In October 2005 the Ecological Survey of Surface Waters, Hungary, the final report of a EuropeAid Phare projekt (the so called BQE report), No/114951/D/SV/2002 containing prescriptions and considerations to be adhered to when hydro-biological measurements under auspices of WFD are performed was published. As for the hydro-biological observations envisaged in case of the Szigetköz monitoring program our proposal is already built up with BQE as a sound foundation. The North-Transdanubian Environmental and Water Directorate prepared late 2005 a proposal for the optimalization of the near-surface monitoring network of the Szigetköz. It was again on the basis of recommendations of this that the proposal for the continued operation of the near-surface observation network could be put on a firm footing. Unfortunately, the final document relying on the WFD prescriptions to be applied in Hungary for the investigation of subsurface waters shall only be ready after the closure of the Recommendations. When working on the Recommendations there shall be but a few preliminary conclusions available yet that we can make use of however in our own work. The same applies in case of the new working program of the Boundary Waters Commission as well. Under circumstances, the international negotiations may still offer better options and may render modifications in respect of the content of this paper possible. It can be laid down as a fact, that no substantial modification is to be made in the joint, Hungarian-Slovakian monitoring of the water recharge towards the Szigetköz. This is also reflected by the fact, that the common documents issued in the last ten years did only call for a couple of minor changes of obviously technical character, and the demand to modify the Statute has not emerged at all. At present, it is just because of the introduction of the rules of the EU, that we feel like proposing the incorporation of some new elements. These we have formulated on the basis of the Recommendations. We do accordingly propose:
Comprehensive documents prepared in the frames of this work have been put to the disposal of the Client both in printed and in digital form, whereas background materials of vast dimensions are only available as digital supporting documents. 2. EU regulations and tasks involved by their fulfilment The EU membership brought for Hungary numerous new obligations with, among others some in connection with tasks to be handled as parts of the environmental monitoring. The attachment of he digital version of this paper contains the official translation of those EU directives (40 pcs) which actually contain prescriptions, recommendations or some kind of allusions concerning environmental monitoring. From among the recommendations referring to the development of monitoring the guiding principle No 2000/60/EC, the so called Water Framework Directive rises high above the rest of regulations. As regards other EU directives, it is the one under the registration number 92/43/EEC. A that again deserves special attention, the one, that has been devoted to the tasks to be solved in protection of natural habitats and of plants and animals living in the free nature. Extension of the network of Natura 2000 facilities shall bring with a great deal of new obligations for the monitoring system of the Szigetköz. Durective No. 2152/2003/EC is devoted to the monitoring of forests, with emphasis laid upon the interdependencies of forests within the Community and their environment in a broader sense (Forest Focus, November 17th, 2003). There has been a guide prepared on the basis of that: UN-ECE ICP (Forest Manual on Estimation of growth and Yield) 2004. It can be established altogether, that monitoring of the Szigetköz forests basically satisfies requirements of the EU. A proposal for the elimination of minor differences is presently being elaborated. We thought to direct attention on regulation No. 2003/4/EC as fourth, since the Hungarian-Slovakian monitoring, keeping track with the effects of the water recharge can easily meet the demands connected with the public accessibility of information somehow related with environmental matters. Data on monitoring is made available in the practice of both of the parties through their website in the Internet. (The homepage gabcikovo.gov.sk has been operational for quite a time by now, whereas the website szigetkozi-monitoring.hu is presently being developed, providing data on the Internet has only been started with in this year). It would of course be very reasonable, if a statutory publicity clause was stipulated when the agreement on monitoring was finally cast in form. 2.1 The Water Framework Directive As has been prescribed by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) monitoring programs shall have to be worked out in respect of each catchment and that in order to be able of a continuous, broad and comprehensive judgement of the water-related conditions and ongoing procedures of each of these individual water-catchments. One has to be able to follow up the ecological conditions in case of water bodies of a natural character and/or the ecological potential, if it is about a distinctly modified water body. All that has to be done by using a monitoring program elaborated in advance. The WFD demands three kind of monitorings (as corresponding to their different functions), such as surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring. Surveillance monitoring serves the purpose of supplementing impact-analyses, supports the design of additional observation networks and the exposition of long-range modifications caused by natural factors and/or triggered off as a consequence of human activities. Operational monitoring plays a role in the period between two surveillance monitorings in the interest of permanently controling changes in the status of dangerous water-bodies, thus contributing to the realistic evaluation of the effects of measures taken. Finally, aim of the investigative monitoring program is to reveal relations between the causes and the results over areas, where such interdependencies are not yet known or proved. This type of monitoring is to be put in action also in the case of havaria type pollutions. According to the Hungarian surface water typology (221/2004. (VII.21.) Government Decree) water bodies of the Szigetköz are strongly modified and they also play a fundamental role in the replenishment of subsurface water reservs. Qualifying as an important drinking water storing formation, the area also enjoys a protected status (219/2004. (VII.21.) Government Decree). The same applies if natural values of the area considered – the Szigetköz Natural Reserve (1/1987. (III.19.) OKTH decree) safeguards since 1987 the legal protection of the values. long range changes caused by the diversion of the al protection of the natural values. The status of a "natural reserve" means in the legislation of the EU equally protection and specific prescriptions concerning monitoring. It is this why WFD speaks out for the operation of an appropriately structured surveillance monitoring, thus assuring the follow up of long-range changes caused by the diversion of the Danube. On the other hand – in due consideration of the expectable or already manifest ecological changes of hydro-morphology and flow patterns – it is equally necessary, that an operational monitoring program is also launched with the declared target of investigation of the ecological potential of the water-bodies. In the regulations of EU concerning environmental monitoring – consequently in WFD as well – there appears a fundamental and quite definitely formulated demand that the monitoring should satisfy the conditions of a close follow-up of changes (whether of natural or technical character). It is in compliance with this requirement that parameters of the monitoring should be specified: such as the lateral distribution of the observation points, the time schedule of the surveys, the periodical supervision of the system. Judged from the point of view of the numerous. For as long as the Hague process is not closed down and international agreements prescribed in the sentence are not drawn up, persons dealing in the monitoring bear the heavy responsibility to carry on with collecting all those environmental data which shall gain a great importance from the point of view of sharing the water discharges of the Danube and when defining the extent of compensations for the infringement of lawful rights. Obviously, tasks of the Hague process of an environmental bearing and fulfilment of the WDF actually mean an almost identical obligation. (The irreparable damages caused by inadequacy of data collection have already manifested themselves in the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros matter. The 20 years long interruption of surveys on drifted sediments measurement along the Upper Danube in the seventieths and eightieths (of the twentieth century) is a sad example in this respect, since this is why no reliable data – unquestionably acceptable also for international professional bodies – does exist about the changes of riverbed morphology. Without that there was no chance to convincingly demonstrate this of the greatest environmental damages that was caused by the diversion of the river.) 2.2 The "Szigetköz" Natura 2000 Area With Government Decree No. 275/2004. joining of Hungary to the network of Natura 2000 areas has been started with. This Decree announces, better to say marks out types of habitats of a public significance and of an enhanced public significance belonging to the network. As regards the Szigetköz there are two titles by right of which parts to be protected might have been identified. Acc. to attachment No 5. a part of the area (SPA area, code: HUFH30004) qualified as a distinguished bird protection area). Attachment No 7. on the other hand earmarked certain areas to become special nature reserves of distinguished significance (pSCl area, code: HUFH000) Lands declared to be protected by virtue of two different titles are geographically identic. The Szigetköz Lanscape Protection Area has been fully incorporated in the land specified as Natura 2000 area. The "Szigetköz" Natura 2000 area comprises mainly the riverine belt forest territories along the Danube and the Mosoni-branch of the Danube in itself. Thus it extends at places over the customary geographical boundaries of the Szigetköz, since small patches may fall over the other side of the river. It seems to be reasonable to extend monitoring of the Szigetköz over this area as well. Lands involved are shown in the figure (the drawing was prepared on the basis of the map of the Fertő-Hanság National Park). Types of habitats, which are actually the cause of the earmarking, and species of flora and fauna can be found in the table of the attachment. Demarcation of Natura 2000 areas – partly because of the new, international obligations – shall obviously add to the tasks of monitoring. As it is tasks shall then not be limited to the watching of birds and other living creatures, but keeping track of the changes of habitats shall also be part of the work. An important aspect of this newly created scope of duties shall be as formulated by article 18. of Directive 92/43 EEC about protection of natural habitats and plants and animals living in the free nature:
3. Evaluation of environmental monitoring presently in operation on the basis of EU directives The systematisation of the Country Report issued in March 2005 separated in respect of the Szigetköz 7 surface and 2 subsurface water bodies. The main task of the Szigetköz monitoring according to WFD is to keep track of the changes of the following water bodies. In case of water courses the selection of the water bodies strongly modified before the start of the program already was made on the basis of the identification of those stretches of the stream, which were under an obviously intensive effect from a hydro-morphological point of view. At water bodies assigned here a major change of aquatic organisms could readily be proved, whilst human interference may not possibly be replaced or counterbalanced by other solutions of reasonable costs, let alone advantages from an environmental aspect. Validation of this assignment as corresponding to the ecological status is another issue to be attended to, and the actual, cause vs. result type degradation (i.e. the mechanism, according to which human interference and condition of the communities of living organisms is interrelated) should also be subject of considerations. The above demand is partly satisfied within the scope of the biological status assessment program realised within a PHARE-aided scheme. Continuation of that and its supplementation with the evaluation of hydro-morphological effects is absolutely necessary. A further task emerges here in that a detailed technical and economical analysis for distinctly modified water bodies is also to be prepared. Estimation of the conditions of the maximal ecological potential – for the strongly modified and totally artificial stretches of the water-course – shall be dealt with in a later section. The Country Report and its attachments devote distinguished attention to the monitoring tasks connected with the typologisation. Generally speaking one can establish, that field-work, as it is presently exercised in the Szigetköz basically corresponds to the new concept at least from a structural point of view. This feature may primarily be thanked to the fact, that the present monitoring concept had been established with the contribution and understanding of EU experts. After the diversion of the Danube, in the year of 1993 the EU committee instituted a tri-lateral professional working team. This unit released two summary reports (and several background studies) and came forward with suggestions for the development of the Hungarian and Slovakian monitoring on the one part) and for a provisional sharing of the water discharges on the other. Their report on the monitoring passed through with a common understanding of the Hungarian and the Slovakian experts and the EU-delegate. Its summarising statements are presented in attachment No.2 The measuring circle corresponding to the new concept came into being in 1994 – 1995. urements acceptable also when the new concept came. The EU recommendations have been taken over by the slovakian experts as well, making use of them mainly in the deveopment of the Csallóköz monitoring. Systems like the one acc. to this agreement rendered later (in 1995) possible the births of the Hungarian-Slovakian Common Inter-governmental Monitoring Agreement which has lead to the efficient follow up of the water recharge to the Szigetköz. It goes without saying that apart from the structurally advantageous development of the Szigetköz monitoring there are several factors which exert a negative effect, hindering us in the fulfilment of the EU expectations. One of our main concerns is the geographically mosaic-like character of the surveys. As it is, primarily because of the scarcity of resources, the number of observation sites of hydro-morphological and biological type is low, whilst researchers on their side strive for keeping track of possibly every characteristical process – and this for the sake of rendering evaluation of the conditions possible. In some of the cases of a lesser importance you may even encounter a kind of temporal fragmentation, this meaning that series of data are occasionally interrupted by time-gaps of half a year or an entire calendar year. As to meet expectations of the EU it is just this discontinuity which should be reduced some way or another. One should achieve a stage, in which research would not be confined to some sections of certain branches within the expanded water system of the Szigetköz. It is just the condition of the traceability of changes which may get hurt because of the present low number of observation sites, especially few in comparison with the complexity. Two of the goals within reach could still be realised, even if we do not lose sight off the limited financial possibilities. First: the continuity of the row of data in case of the presently measured parameters should be maintained. Second: measurements of the new chemical and biological compounds picked up in the course of the water quality surveys should immediately be started with. 4. Aspects of preparation of the proposal 4.1. General consideration concerning the planning of environmental monitoring The main task of environmental monitoring is to make measurements (both in the outdoors and in the laboratories), the recording and processing of data, syntheses. From among the tasks to be dealt with it is measurements that call for the most of resources, both in respect of expenses and time consuming. Development in respect of instrumentation brought a never before quantity and quality of data. Unfortunately, demand on resources has generally grown, instead of the expected sinking. This is why definition of the number of measurement points and of the frequency of measuring became the most critical part of the design. Measurements can reasonably be divided into two groups in respect of frequenciesy:
Considerations like the ones above do of course not mean that all measurements are to be made on such a regular basis, there are other natural phenomena yet, which can only be studied in the frames of an expedition. Neither does it mean that fixed dates of monitoring measurements could not be changed, the more so if this does happen as adoptation ourselves to a new kind of knowledge. Within the domain of the radius of the Szigetköz , measurements - except for the water level gauging and for the chemical components of the water quality analyses – all measurements are accomplished as quasy-monitoring type operations. Due to the quasy-monitoring cathegory spread by WFD by and large, some of the hydro-biological elements shall now be classified as belonging to the regular type, whereas others may maintain their expeditional character. The circle of quasy monitoring measurements was inaugurated in the years of 1993-1994 EU experts have also given recommendations for the optimum number of expeditions, other experts tried to define the minimum conditions as well. Apart from a row of minor or greater difficulties this measurement program was valid and operational till the budget squeeze of the years of 2003 and 2004. As it is, number of points has fallen back during these two years, and measurements have also become less frequent. The Head of the Working Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences has given distress signals, claiming that measurements may be put aside only for a while, but after that the program shall die away and the continuity of the row of data counts like interrupted after that. The WFD declares the obligation that measurements have to point out the changes of the water body (and of the living organisms depending on it). This is the only way of whatever kind of compensation or reimbursement of personal expenses aimed at. If the spacing of the expeditionary shots is much too wide, we run the risk of not qualifying as victims of a natural catastrophe, since exposure of a complicated hydrological-hydrogeological procedure requires – in addition to the shots of the regular measurements (which are obligatory assets in the opinion of WFD) – one has to present for the promotion of his own case at least a limited amount of data obtained as a result of "expeditionary" measurements. 4.2 Structure of the Proposal 1) As it is, the Proposal handles each professional area broken down in two separate packages, such as monitoring – quasy-monitoring. Reason for that is in the first place the organisational structure, whilst financial considerations may also play a role. Participants of the quasi monitoring work are active within the Working Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, their duties performed on the basis of annual contracts. Regular measurements shall be performed by the regional organisations of the Ministry, mostly as a kind of “official obligations” this meaning that the work qualifies like basic activity, with costs and expenses built into the normal budget of the institutions. In compliance with the prescriptions of WFD the paper reviews recently introduced hydro-biological measurements together with other regular measurements to be noted, that they shall be handled within the regular circle the first time now. 2) The proposal contains but a summary of a couple of sentences in case of all of the professional fields (what is measured, by whom and when), specifically indicating measurements which belong to the scope of the Hungarian - Slovakian exchange of data. Modifications concerning the content of the scope of measurements shall be divided in two groups:
3) Financial aspects are handled by the proposal separately, divided up according to the professional area, also summarising at the ends of the chapters elements increasing or reducing the costs. The costs component is but a conscientious estimation given on the basis of informations available for us. 4) The last chapter is a proposal for the modification of the regulations of the common Hungarian – Slovakian monitoring. The table enumeratung observation points and frequencies of measurements of stations belonging to the presently operating system and involved into the data exchange program can best be attached here, since the list of participants has already been changed on several occasions in the course of the ten yeard of operation. Our proposal concerning data exchange recommended for evaluation (only proposal) would mean the s to say termination of the changing of data, this though simultaneously with the fulfilment of the guiding principles of the EU about publicity of data equally introduced and applied in respect of the Szigetköz and Csallóköz monitoring as well, this meaning, that measured data should become accessible for every EU cytisens on the basis of their subjectivity. 5. An overview of the monitoring In our composition herebelow monitoring activities of the upper Danube Region are reviewed thematically (in a professional grouping) and not according to the structure of the official systems of monitoring. Our proposals try hard to give attention to aspects of the EU directives concerning monitoring and to meet the expectations of the Water Framework Directive of the EU. 5.1 Systematic (monitoring) measurements Quantitative data on surface waters (hydrological monitoring) Reviewing the operation of those elements of the observation systems of the Upper Danube which are only involved in the collection of quantitative data we had to establish that the network of stations is equally capable of providing data for the water recharging systems and to the operation of the Dunakiliti bottom weir as well as for the monitoring of the Szigetköz and to the data exchange of the barder waters respectively. Based on the overwiew of the stations of the observation network and making ourselves acquianted with their measuring program the following recommendation may be made:
Ground water table observations In order to keep track of the ground water table of the Szigetköz and to be able of analysing the changes of their depth observation wells were deepened in the following networks:
Operation of the observation wells is in the hands of North-Transdanubian Water Inspectorate, except for the wells of Hungarian Geological Institute. In the time of writing the Evaluating Analysis preparations for the optimation of the groundwater observation network of the Szigetköz under the North-Transdanubian Water Inspectorate’s direction was already going on, notably according to a detailed hierarchy of aspects. The preparatory study contained beside the actual observation stages, the present and the prospective phase of the aquifer presently run by the North-Transdanubian Water Inspectorate. Optimalisation – complying with the WFD concept – sets out from the requirements raised against the information (data) supplied by the observation system. The most important demands, which the network shall have to be able of satisfying subsequent to optimalisation:
On the basis of our general recommendations in the Evaluating Analysis it is now the optimalisation proposal which we suggest to modify as follows:
Surface water quality monitoring Systhematic observation of water quality along the Upper-Danube takes place in different monitoring systems.
Measured data of some of the sampling stations shall become elements of several different systems. This means practically that results of trunk network measurements financed from the normal operational budget of the services shall get utilised without additional expenses, as obligations to be fulfilled in compliance with the resolution on Boundary Waters and with the Hungarian-Slovak Agreement of 1995. Proposals An operative monitoring proposal for the water-bodies of the Szigetköz area of the Upper Danube region has been elaborated within the design of the national monitoring network es prescribed by WFD. The elaborate rests on a risks analysis of the water-bodies investigating phenomena to the level of the water-body. Selection of the definite sampling areas within the water bodies shall take place in the fourth quarter of 2005. Table containing data on sampling areas and frequencies of sampling. Subsurface water quality monitoring Networks developed for observing subsurface water qualities and those, built for the purposeof measuring ground water levels are necessarily in an overlapping with each other. Operational networks:
In case of subsurface water quality tests measured characteristics of the productive wells obliged for measurements are to be involved into the investigation work as well. In case of non-obliged wells it is still advisable to accomplish periodically, (at 5 – 6 years intervals or so), expeditionlike sample collections, including here trítium tests as well, all that synchronised with ongoing operations continued within the frames of the geological monitoring or other works of the Hungarian Geological Institute. Proposal for continued operation In consideration of the requirements of the WFD applying in the case of underground waters’ quality monitoring in the Szigetköz it is to be pointed at, that our main concerne is – as regards subsurface water quality observation – the uppermost 50 m thick formation, and attention is to be paid to the monitoring of areas of exceptionally intensive influx values. In view of the water quality components one has to keep in mind the rule, that subsequent to a broad survey aimed at a wide variety of components we have to systhematically inv estigate the well-known indicating coponents, followed by tests aimed at relevant polluting agents. These are altogether requirements, basically satisfied by the present subsurface waters quality monitoring system. Number of registered and observed wells wthin the groups sunk quite beside the river branches of the Szigetköz and meant for water level and water quality surveillance can now be reduced by about 30 p.c. as against the monitoring program of 2004. 4.2 Quasy-monitoring measurements Geological monitoring The measurements were carried out by the researchers of the Geological Institute of Hungary. The condition of the riverbeds, the waterquality and the flow velocity of the surface waters have been changed and are being changed by the intrusions carried out along the upper reches of the Danube in Hungary. At locations where these waters mean the only source of recharge the changes can be best kept track of by means of sondages and wells drilled as near to the effective stretches of the riverbed as possible. Since as far back as 1995, regular geological monitoring is carried out along the Rajka-Nagybajcs stretch of the Danube and its branches by the Geological Institute of Hungary. The target of the investigation of the river section is to determine the interrelation of the surface and subsurface waters, the documentation thereof and their interdependence with the geological formations.Engineering geological methods are needed to follow up the changes in the recharging and tapping capability of certain lengths of the river. Sampling stations and time spans of measurements are shown in Table. Riverbed morphology, and sediment monitoring The measurements are accomplished by researchers of Environmental Protection and Water Management Research Institute. The closure of the main channel of the Danube at Cunovo in October 1992 and the diversion of the decisive part of the discharge towards the upstream canal of the Bős hydraulic power plant transformed the Danube section between Rajka and Nagybajcs, not mentioning the system of branches of the river to a much greater extent than any of the earlier river trainings. Monitoring of the riverbed, of its material and sediment monitoring was started by the registration of the zero status just before the October 1992 diversion .The general layout of monitoring activities between 1992 –2004 has been summarized in Table. Proposals for the continuation of the monitoring: Minimum program:
Optimum program (in addition to the minimum program)
Replenishment of subsurface waters Measurements acccomplished by researchers of Environmental Protection and Water Management Research Institute. In the year 1994 within the frame of a governmental project there were 11 groups of wells built – right next to the water-recharging branches in order to be able to investigate their role in the enrichment of the recharge water. Due to technical reasons and changes in the topography of the area,since 2006 observations are only going on in case of 4 of these groups of wells. It is like this that the remainig budget allows us to undertake measurements (in harmony with the WFD) beyond the ones of primary importance from the point of wiev of the judgement of redoxy procedures (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, iron and mangan) and at the same time allows us to launch a wider variety of components identification than originally planned. When taking samples, the water levels are also recorded. Monitoring of water cover conditions in Szigetköz Series of aerial images have been taken in Szigetköz twenty times since 1984. Since 1992 the surveys have taken place at least once a year with equal parameters. The whole area of Szigetköz is covered by aerial images. The series of thematic maps compiled upon the photo sets provide a real display of the summer water cover conditions in Szigetköz. The maps represent a true picture on the state of vegetation and water cover in both the active floodplain and protected side. Recommendation:
Soil moisture monitoring The measurements are taken by the staff of the University of West Hungary, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Soil moisture is measured in 20 sites, of which 11 is included in the Hungarian-Slovak data exchange. The measurements take place in moisture recording wells implemented beside water level observation wells usually once in two weeks between March and November. The observation sites are listed in the table and they are presented in the figure. Forestry monitoring The measurements are taken by the staff of the Forestry Research Institute. Tree growth monitoring: In early spring the growth of trees identified by reference number are measured in 50 by 50 m experimental parcels (diameter, height). Tree health monitoring: The individuals of the sample are qualified twice a year of the healthy to the perished ones. Renewal experiment: In the frame of the experiment the composition of the spontaneously evolving tree stock is examined without human interference in tree-free clear-cut areas. Continuous periphery measurements: Periphery growth is measured by dendrometer bands once a week during the vegetation period. Botanic monitoring The measurements are taken by the staff of the Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Lorand Eötvös University as well as the Department of Botany, West-Hungarian University. Coenological survey: It constitutes the registration of the coenological cover of all sprouting plants within a 25 by 25 m pilot area performed once a year in July. Reed experiments: Measurement of sprouting density and the foot height of reed (Phragmites australis) takes place twice a year, in July and December. Measurement of leaf surface: It consists of the determination of the size of fallen leaves. In order to perform the examination the leaves of pendunculated oak (Quercus robur), gluey alder (Alnus glutinosa) and white willow (Salix alba) are collected in December every year. Monitoring the weed vegetation of Szigetköz: The survey is performed in 40 sites between June and August in corn and maize fields in both intensively and extensively cultivated fields for both cultures. Hydrobiological monitoring The investigation is performed by the staff of the Hungarian Danube Research Station, Institute of Ecology and Botany of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Full-scale examinations are performed twice a year (exceptionally a third measurement can also be performed). The parameter groups studied can be listed as follows:
Investigation sites: 6 points on the Danube, 4 points in the active floodplain and 5 points in the protected side. Alga and moss monitoring The measurements are taken by the staff of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Department of Botany. Due to the modified tasks the name of the work has changed to "Hydrobotanic monitoring in the Szigetköz". Phytobenthos (periphytic diatom) studies have been carried out in the Cikola and Ásvány branch systems since 1992. Algal grasses have been investigated in the two branch systems since 1996. The related grasses of mosaic pattern are the indicators of benthonic eutrophisation. Mosses have been studied since 1994. The frequency of the occurrence of species is determined once a year on the basis of representative collection. Sampling sites are listed in the table and they are presented in the figure. Zoological monitoring The investigation is carried out by the staff of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Department of Zoology. The studies have been performed since autumn 1993 in stationary sampling sites. They are focused essentially on the data of the presence/absence of specific groups of aqueous, in water evolving and terrestrial fauna. From 2006 on in compliance with the application of the WFD the investigations proceed by introducing new evaluation methods and the assignment of new sampling sites in two task groups. 13 and 40 sites have been assigned to carry out the tasks formulated in the Water Framework Directive and to determine the terrestrial fauna (crab fauna, molluscs, butterflies, mammals, trichoptera, adder-flies, day-flies), respectively. It serves as the basis of the information involved in the Hungarian-Slovak data exchange. The observation sites are listed in the table and they are presented in the figure. Budapest, April, 2006 Compiled by Adrienne Hajósy (Hungarian Academy of Sciences) and Ferenc László (Environmental Protection and Water Management Research Institute | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||