Under the general theme of the Congress, the scientific program will be consisted of five main themes, each of which will be divided in several sessions. Main themes will be introduced by keynote speakers, followed by parallel sessions, poster sessions and workshops.
Opening lecture: Challenges of the New Millennium – A view from southern Europe.
Theme 1: Strategic planning and monitoring restoration efficiency
Theme 2: Species and habitat restoration
Theme 3: European regulations and developing research agenda for restoration
Theme 4: Community involvement and cultural perspectives in restoration projects
Theme 5: Ecological basis of restoration
Workshop 1: International co-operation: lessons learned, future possibilities
Workshop 2: Grassland restoration in Europe
Workshop 3: Restoration ecology and practice in Hungary
Workshop 4: Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) - monitoring environmental change
Workshop 5: Sustainable reuse of land: problems and advanced solutions for industrial and agricultural soil reclamation
Workshop 6: Restoring Natural Capital - New synergy in economics and ecology (participation upon invitation)
Program Overview
Opening lecture: Challenges of the New Millennium – A view from southern Europe.
by James Aronson, Functional and Evolutionary Ecology Centre, National Centre of Scientific Research, Montpellier, France
Theme 1: Strategic planning and monitoring restoration efficiency
The goal of most ecological restoration projects is to improve the ecological (and sometimes economic) state of degraded sites and to promote the re-establishment of functional, healthy ecosystems endowed with sufficient biodiversity and ‘integrity’ to be self-maintaining. Strategic planning can increase the feasibility and success of restoration projects by setting realistic objectives and choosing the most adequate management techniques for the given circumstances. Adequate monitoring and the evaluation of results should also be included at the planning phase for analysing the suitability of decisions and for the feed back into further decisions. Topics will focus on these and related aspects of planning restoration interventions.
Plenary lecture: Monitoring restoration – the role of below ground components
by Jim Harris, Regional Representative of SER, Cranfield University, Silsoe, United Kingdom
Theme 2: Species and habitat restoration
Restoration is a widely used term that embraces a range of activities focusing on repairing damages caused to natural systems and biota by humans. Various restoration activities should be distinguished based on the objectives and achievements of re-establishing natural ecosystems to enhance conservation goals and to facilitate communication among practitioners and students of various fields. In the framework of this theme will construct an overview of restoration activities from the reclamation of (abiotic) site conditions, through bioengineering and rehabilitation of natural/ecological values to the restoration of functioning ecosystems, across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and habitat types. Both comparative and case studies are expected in sessions, together with papers aiming for the clarity of terminology.
Plenary lecture: Restoration strategies for dry lands
by Ramón Vallejo, The Mediterranean Centre for Environmental Studies Foundation, Spain
Theme 3: European regulations and developing research agenda for restoration
Nature conservation in Europe is carried out in response to local, national and European legislation and to commitments under international agreements. Ecologists can greatly increase the impact and relevance of their work, both to society and to the organisms or habitats that they study, if they consider how to direct their research appropriately, and communicate their results to policy makers. Similarly, administrators involved in the environmental decision making process can greatly improve the effectiveness of legislation by basing it on sound science. In the field of ecological restoration, which is of considerable concern and importance in Europe, the new European Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration will investigate promising avenues of research and report on scientific advances of interest to European legislators.
Plenary lecture: Science in support of ecological restoration: the role of professional bodies
by Martin Sharman, DG DI-2 Biodiversity and Global Change, European Commission, Belgium
Theme 4: Community involvement in restoration projects
A "discursive development of environmental aims" can largely enhance the success of restoration projects. In this process of the ecological information is digested in a communication process between various actors in the social systems according to their knowledge, education, worldviews etc. Ecologically oriented goals (not only in restoration but also in landscape planning, EIA and other planning procedures) will only be accepted if the actors agree on basic values as to the shaping of the society, and if the ecological goals are in accordance with the socio-economic framework on the region. "Reference states" can be regarded as cultural norms, the acceptance of which depends on other various cultural aspects.
Plenary lecture: Goal development through communication in restoration projects - "reference states" or "as much nature as possible"
by Gerhard Wiegleb, General Ecology Department, Brandenburg University of Technology, Germany
Theme 5: Ecological basis of restoration
The goal of ecology as a science is to understand how ecological systems function at various organisational levels. Ecological restoration, aiming at the re-establishment of ecosystem 'health' and 'integrity', calls for the understanding of the functioning of natural ecosystems. Investigations on the fate of ecosystems under restoration, including the impact of manipulations, reveal a better understanding of natural systems as well. Several topics stay in the focus of both ecology and restoration, for example disturbance and stability, the relationship between ecosystem functioning and species richness, and the genetics of metapopulation dynamics. The problem of scales is among the crucial ones, as it determines the objects and methods of research and management.
Plenary lecture: The interface between ecological restoration and restoration ecology
by Jelte van Andel, University of Groningen, Laboratory of Plant Ecology, The Netherlands
Workshop 1: International opportunities, challenges, obstacles
Human impact leads to the degradation of natural systems all over the world. The comparison and contrast of restoration projects in different nations and continents can inform and improve the perspectives of regional and national approaches to problems and contingencies. The past experience of international collaborative efforts, and future possibilities of partnership will be discussed in the framework of an informal workshop.
Moderator: Ab Grootjans, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Workshop 2: Grassland restoration in Europe
The main reasons of meeting are: (i) it will give an opportunity for people from different countries to discuss the hotspots and cross-cutting issues in grassland restoration for Europe, and (ii) may serve as a basis for a working group on grassland restoration that could be established under the auspices of the SER European Chapter
Responsible: Julia Kuleshova and Anton Struchkov, editors of The Open Country, Moscow, Russia
If you intent to participate at this workshop, please complete the following questionaire and send it back to the workshop responsibles.
Workshop 3: Restoration ecology and practice in Hungary
There is an increasing interest for the field of restoration in Hungary, and considerable activity is taking place, especially in the framework of nature conservation. However, most restorationists work isolated, lacking information on the recent developments of the field and/or without stable financial background that results in "ad hoc" restoration projects. This meeting would like to bring together a Hungarian forum of restoration ecology.
Responsible: Melinda Halassy, Institute of Ecology and Botany
Workshop 4: Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) - monitoring environmental change
Moderator: Reuben Sessa (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Italy)
Workshop 5: Sustainable reuse of land: problems and advanced solutions for industrial and agricultural soil reclamation
Moderators: Edwards Soméus, Terra Humana Ltd., Hungary and Jim Harris, Regional Representative of SER, Cranfield University, Silsoe, United Kingdom
Workshop 6: Restoring Natural Capital - New synergy in economics and ecology (participation upon invitation)
Moderator: James Aronson, CEFE CNRS, France and Eric Higgs, Chair of the Board of Directors of SER, University of Victoria, Canada
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25 August |
26 August |
27 August |
28 August |
29-31 August |
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Registration |
One to three day field trips |
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Opening ceremony |
Plenary lectures |
Plenary lectures |
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coffee break |
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Plenary lecture |
Parallel sessions |
Parallel sessions |
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lunch break |
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Parallel sessions |
Parallel sessions |
Parallel Sessions and workshops |
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tea break |
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Parallel sessions and workshops |
Parallel sessions and workshops |
Closing ceremony |
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Registration |
Poster session |
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Welcome cocktail |
Boat trip |
Horse show with Dinner (optional) |
Closing dinner (optional) |
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Slovakia and the Czech Republic, 29 August - 01 September
Wetland restoration in Western Hungary, 29-30 August
Restoration for improving natural values, 29-31 August
One day trips
Slovakia and the Czech Republic, 29 August - 01 September
Organiser: Karel Prach, University of South Bohemia
Meadows at the border between Slovakia and Austria (along the former "Iron Curtain") have mostly been either neglected or managed with an excessive intensity, unless converted to arable land. In the past several years there are attempts to restore species-rich vegetation on (a) formerly neglected meadows usually dominated by competitive graminoids (especially by cannary-grass Phalaris arundinacea) and exhibiting low species diversity; and (b) on arable land. Results of both small-scale experiments, and large scale technical projects seem to be promising. The restored sites will be visited together with the last remnants of properly managed, still species-rich meadows being typical for large floodplains in relatively warm central European lowlands.
In the outskirts of the town Brno there was one of the most important and valuable, species-rich locality of xero-thermic vegetation in the eastern part of the country (Czech Republic). Unfortunately, the main part was destroyed by limestone quarries and the quarrying was stopped as far as in 1998. Parts of the locality were (a) technically reclaimed using organic material and tree planting; (b) left to spontaneous succession; and (c) restored by directed succession, sowing seeds of target species. The latter started in 1998 and results from the first four years indicate that directing succession provides the most species-rich vegetation resembling the original steppe communities. The restoration of vegetation cover was accompanied by successful re-introduction of some animals being typical of (semi)natural vegetation.
We will visit one of the largest active coal mining districts in Europe which is located in the north-western part of the Czech Republic near the border with Germany. There are about 200 km2 of spoil heaps which are now subjected to large-scale technical restoration. However, detailed data on spontaneous succession indicates that it is not reasonable to technically restore all the spoil heaps. Spontaneous succession runs to more diverse vegetation cover with higher species number and even being fully aesthetically acceptable. Spontaneously re-vegetated heaps even provide refugia for various organisms which are rare or retreating from the surrounding landscape. Especially valuable from this point of view are wetlands which are forming gradually around or inside the spoil heaps. Unfortunately, just in time when the wetlands start to develop the spoil heaps are technically reclaimed. We will see early stages and the oldest stage (45 years) of spontaneous succession and technically reclaimed sites.
As a compensation of the experience from the heavily disturbed landscape, a short visit is scheduled to the nearby National Nature Reserve "Rana" to see a valuable, natural steppe-like vegetation in one of the most continental parts of central Europe.
During the whole route of the excursion, natural, historical and other interesting sites will be at least briefly demonstrated from the bus windows, and commented, beside the other sites interesting from the point of view of restoration ecology. The problems of restoration of the central European landscapes, disturbed during the communist era, will be demonstrated and discussed.
29 August, Thursday:
Departure in the morning from Budapest. Lunch in Bratislava. The Morava River floodplain in W Slovakia, whole afternoon excursion. Evening transport to nearby Brno in Moravia. vine party at accommodation.
30 August, Friday:
Technically reclaimed and spontaneously re-vegetated limestone quarries near Brno. Transport to NW Bohemia. A short evening excursion to spontaneously re-vegetated spoil heaps. Dinner and accommodation in the town of Most.
31 August, Saturday:
Technically reclaimed spoil heaps and the oldest (45 years) spontaneously re-vegetated spoil heap from brown coal mining in the Most Region. A short excursion to the National Nature Reserve "Ranna". End of excursion in Prague in the afternoon (Stops at airport and central railway station). Transpot to Budapest with late evening arrival.
Difficulty:
The difficulty of the tour is moderate, the attendance does not require any special equipment, only the terrain can be locally rather rough.
Maximum number of participants is 40, the minimum number is 20
Price in double room: 150 EURO
Wetland restoration in Western Hungary, 29-30 August
Tour Leader: Pellinger Attila, Fertő-Hanság National Park
The Vértes protected area is located on the dolomite slopes of Vértes mountains. The steep slopes rising from the surrounding plain and the warm climate created an unusual mosaic of plant associations. Wetland meadows can be found only a few hundred meters from the extremely dry dolomite cliff grasslands. The area became protected recently. Conservation goals include not only the preservation of native flora and fauna, but also the preservation of typical Hungarian farming. Educational traits and a museum were built for visitors. Restoration efforts are also taken place. New habitats were created for protecting local amphibians and reptiles.
The Hanság region is one of Hungary’s largest moorlands, that once, with the Lake Fertő formed a single wetland in the Kisalföld, North-western Hungary. By now, the Hanság has almost become a cultural land due to drainage, peat mining, and other types of human use. The open water bodies had almost totally disappeared, and were replaced by plantations and arable lands. The typical species of the flora and the fauna could be preserved in the remnants of fens and fen woods, the backwaters of the canals and sheltered bays of the lakes. Habitat reconstruction was started in 2000 by re-flooding of a 500 ha area. In the second phase, native plants and fish species were introduced after propagation in artificial ponds.
Fertő is a sodic, shallow lake, that stretches across the Austrian-Hungarian border. The area was declared a protected landscape area in 1977, together with the surrounding reed belt and meadows, the Fertőrákos quarry and the Szárhalmi forest. In the framework of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve Program it became a Biosphere Reserve in 1979, and in 1989 it was included in the Ramsar Convention on wetland habitats. The stabilisation of the water level led to the expansion of reed and changed the vegetation of the shores. Reconstruction of this wetland habitat began in 1990 when the park was established. Sodic ponds were formed to give nesting habitats to the rich bird fauna, reed invasion was controlled by mowing and grazing of traditional livestock. Reconstructed areas became important nesting sites and migratory stages.
Schedule
29 August, Thursday:
Departure from Budapest in the morning. Short visit to restoration projects in the Duna Ipoly National Park. Lunch near Csákvár. Guided tour of the Hanság Wetland Rehabilitation Project. Accommodation near the Fertő Hanság National Park Authority. Outdoors dinner and wine party.
30 August, Friday:
The Fertő Lake Wetland Reconstruction. Lunch near the site. Arrival to Budapest in the evening.
Difficulty: The difficulty of the tour is moderate, high rubber boots can be appropriate during the visit to wetland sites.
Maximum number of participants is 40, the minimum number is 20
Price in double room: 110 EURO
Restoration for improving natural values, 29-31 August
Tour leader: Hudák Katalin, Institute for sustainable ecological development
The Hortobágy National Park was established on the largest grassland of Central Europe, the famous Hungarian puszta, formed on the flood plain of the Tisza river. River regulations, drainage, introduction of land use practices which did not suit local conditions of the Hortobágy region resulted in the fragmentation and reduction of the extension of wetland areas. The restoration project at Zám-puszta is expected to increase biological diversity of the marshes protected by the Ramsar Convention, and aims to restore the natural landscape structure, characterised by varied water-related habitats. A water supply system was created with canals connecting to the River Tisza, which provides the possibility of periodic inundation imitating natural floods. An alkaline lake with bare shore-line was also excavated to provide nesting area for birds. The marshes of Etyek-Pusztakócs will also be visited. The marshes and fishponds of the region provide a bird migration centre of European significance.
The two glacial remnants, the older Nagy-Mohos and the younger Kis-Mohos are situated in the former Gömör county near the Hungarian-Slovakian border. The outstanding value of these two lakes is that under the given climate conditions and at such a low altitudes peat bogs are very scarce. Because of the microclimate, some elements of the glacial flora could survive till recent days. The condition of the peat-bogs gave cause for alarm especially in the 1980’s when they were threatened by the aggressive expansion of reeds and trees. Reed vegetation decreased water level, increased the amount of excess nutrients and covered peat-mosses. Cutting in green is applied to force back reeds together with the removal of oak-saplings. Stamping proved to be successful in regenerating peat-moss surface, but this management promoted the occurrence of plant species with higher nutrient demands. Efforts are also made to preserve traditional orchard management in the nearby settlement, Gömörszőlős.
The Mátra is the most frequently visited mountain area of Hungary. The rocks of Mátra were created by volcanic activities and their present form is the result of erosion. Trace of post-volcanic activities can be found in several locations. The region has a forested landscape, with oak forests on the warmer sides of slopes, followed by beech forests in higher altitudes. The Northern Kékes Forest Reserve is part of the European Forest Reserve Network that serves conservation and scientific purposes. The aim of the Bükk National Park that manages the area is to find new practices of forestry, that ensure the development of natural forest structure.
Schedule
29 August, Thursday:
Visiting Zám-puszta wetland reconstruction project. Food tasting in a typical Hungarian Csárda. Marshlands in the Hortobágy region. Accommodation near the Hortobágy National Park Authority.
30 August, Friday:
Peat bogs in Kelemér and demonstration of traditional land-use practices. Accommodation at the karst region of Aggtelek. Visit to the Baradla Cave, a World Heritage area.
31, August, Saturday:
The Northern Kékes Forest Reserve. Arrival to Budapest in the evening.
Difficulty: The difficulty of the tour is moderate, high rubber boots can be appropriate during the visit to wetland sites.
Maximum number of participants is 40, the minimum number is 20
Price in double room: 140 EURO
Spontaneous succession at abandoned mines
29 August, Thursday
Tour leader: Tibor Seregélyes, botanist
Vegetation regeneration on abandoned free surfaces depends considerably on the water-supply of the area. In the sand-pits near at Székesfehérvár, mining reached down to the level of the ground-water (of karst-water origin), and this resulted in the formation of ponds. Open surfaces were inhabited during 20-40 years. A nice gradient of occurrences can be observed for orchid species in the area according to soil humidity. Small scale experiments are taken place in the area for the control of woody invasion. The other sites to be visited are the bauxite mines at Gánt that demonstrate the slow vegetation development on dry surfaces. Bauxite surfaces remain completely bare even 50-60 years after abandonment with a few trees of the dry oak woods (Fraxinus ornus, Quercus pubescens) re-appearing in depressions. There will be possibility to visit nearby dolomite plant associations.
Meals: Lunch included
Difficulty: Easy.
Maximum number of participants is 40, the minimum number is 20
Price: 60 EURO
Sodic pool restoration in the Kiskunság
29 August, Thursday
Tour leader: Emil Boros, Kiskunság National Park
One of Hungary’s most characteristic area is the Danube-Tisza Interfluve region. A mosaic of sand dunes, sand plains, sodic plains and lakes, loess plains, gallery forests and oxbow lakes characterise this region, wedged in the cultural landscape. Sodic plains conserve a special halophytic flora, whereas pools are excellent nesting and feeding places for birds. The drastic lowering of the water table in the region during the last 20 years resulted in the desiccation of several former sodic pool. The restoration of these shallow lakes serves primarily the attraction of the bird fauna and the conservation of specific aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages. Two restored sites, the Fehér-szék and the Bőjti-szék and reference site, the Kelemen-szék will be visited.
Meals: Lunch included
Difficulty: Easy.
Maximum number of participants is 40, the minimum number is 20
Price: 60 EURO
Program for Accompanying Persons
Pre-conference Tours
Welcome Cocktail
Sunday, 25th August, 19.30-20.30
After registering for the conference, you will have the chance to make friends and renew old acquaintances, and join fellow delegates for the welcome cocktail at the conference venue. Tit bits and beverages will be served. All registered participants are invited to the social event.
Boat trip on the Danube with reception on board
Monday, 26th August, 19.00-23.00
Delegates and accompanying persons will be transferred by coach to the port. The boat will be cruising on the Danube, to allow participants to enjoy the spectacular view of Budapest panorama. Meals and drinks will be served on board. After the trip all participatns will be transferred back to the hotels reserved through the Conference Secretariat.
Horse show with traditional Hungarian dinner (optional)
27 August, Tuesday 19.00-23.00
Excellent entertainment is offered for the participants in the Lázásűr Equestrian Park. This enterprise combines the athmosphere of Hungarian villages with the flavor of a horse farm and outstanding Hungarian hospitality. Guests will be greeted by welcome drinks then will have the opportunity to watch a horse show, afterwards traditional Hungarian dinner will be served.
The price of the ticket is: 29 EURO
Conference Dinner (optional)
Wednesday, 28th August, 20.00-24.00
The conference dinner held at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences will be the highlight of the social program and an excellent opportunity to entertain yourself with your colleagues and fellow delegates in a relaxed atmosphere.
The price of the ticket is: 32 EURO
25 August, Sunday
Welcome Cocktail
26 August, Monday
Sightseeing tour in Budapest, which is one of the most beautiful capitals of the world. The broad Danube runs through the middle of this metropolis of two million, dividing the hilly Buda region from the Pest plain. The Danube panorama has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the guided tour, participants will visit the most interesting attractions of the capital and may easily fall in love with the city for a lifetime. Lunch will be provided in a restaurant, in the city park. In the afternoon guests may take a walk in the downtown, the tour will end with tasting the specialities of one of Europe’s leading confectioners, Gerbeaud, that has been offering a unique experience in Budapest since 1858.
In the evening, boat trip on the Danube with reception on board.
27 August, Tuesday
Guided tour to explore the fabulous scenery of the Danube Bend. Nature has thrown its gifts on this land generously and man, who has lived here for centuries, added to it his edifices; both of them accounts for the special atmosphere of the region.
The tour starts in Esztergom, the town that is known as the ’Hungarian Rome’. Esztergom is the capital of Hungarian Catholicism and the residence of archbishops. The trip proceeds to Visegrád, once a royal seat of medieval Hungary. The 14th century atmosphere of the town is maintained by the partially restored palace of the Anjou kings and king Matthias. Even more tempting is the fortress ruin overlooking the vast expanse of hills rushing to meet the Danube. Lunch in traditional Hungarian restaurant in the picturesque mountain range. In the afternoon, the group will visit the lovely Baroque town of Szentendre. This little Hungarian town with the most peculiar atmosphere has winding streets, church towers, colourful houses, narrow alleyways and a special Mediterranean moodgate of the Danube bend.
The evening will be free, to allow you to explore Budapest night life on your own.
28 August, Wednesday
Visit to the Royal Palace in Gödöllő, the world’s second largest Baroque palace. The Hungarian state gave this estate to Francis Joseph and Queen Elisabeth as a coronation gift in 1867. The castle museum introduces the living environment of a nobleman of 18th century Hungary just as that of the royal couple. On arrival, guests can taste the delicious Sisi cocktail made of apricot, the favourite fruit of the queen. Program: concert in the Ceremonial Hall then lunch in the ’secret rooms’ of Queen Elisabeth.
In the evening conference dinner, the ticket should be reserved extra.
Wine and Gastronomy
23-25 August
23 August, Friday:
After breakfast departure for Hollókő from the hotel. Visit the traditional ’Palóc’ village of Hollókő, a village that has been acknowledged as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Lunch in the museum village. In the afternoon the trip proceeds to Eger wine region. The town is perhaps most noted for the world-wide famous ’Egri Bikavér’, the ’Eger Bull’s Blood’, a masculine, deep ruby coloured wine produced from several varieties of red grapes. Dinner will be served in one of the wine cellars of Eger while listening to gypsy music. Overnight stay in Eger.
24 August, Saturday:
The tour continues to Tokaj Hegyalja wine region. On the way to Tokaj, the route crosses the area of the Bükk mountains. A real jewel of this area is Lillafüred, a settlement 10 kilometres from Miskolc. The city lies surrounded by mountains on three sides in a picturesque valley in the east part of the Bükk mountains. Lillafüred is one of the nicest resort in Hungary. Its climate is especially gentle. Lunch will be served in a neo-baroque style palace overlooking to Hámori Lake. After the lunch, the trip proceeds to Tokaj. The wine of Tokaj region is well known all over the world. The ’Tokaji Aszú’, the ’wine of kings, and the king of wines’, is famous for its long maturation period that makes possible to taste aszú wine even from the early 1900s. Dinner and wine tasting in the Rákóczi Cellar in Tokaj. Overnight stay in Tokaj.
25 August, Sunday:
After breakfast departure for Hortobágy, the famous Hungarian Great Plain. Welcome drink at the Animal Park and then tour to the Puszta with horse carriage, to the herds where they live, a unique experience. After having lunch in the Hortobágy Csárda, the group will travell back to Budapest early in the afternoon.
Price in double room: 280 EURO