Case study

Nature-based solutions in the Szigetköz region (Hungary)

A map showing the location of the case study in Hungary.

Area characterisation:

The site is located in a semi-natural flood area subject to biodiversity‐rich habitats (Natura 2000) and faces nutrient management challenges in agricultural land embedded within such natural landscapes. 

Objective:

To conduct a socio-economic and agronomic baseline assessment in the Szigetköz region and test nature-based solutions for nutrient management (via field trials, modelling, monitoring) in a semi-natural flood area. 

Start/end date:
-

Context:

The site is located in a semi-natural flood area subject to biodiversity‐rich habitats (Natura 2000) and faces nutrient management challenges in agricultural land embedded within such natural landscapes. 

Financing:

Part of the trans4num project funded by the European Union

Potential impacts/benefits:

Improved soil structure, lower CO2 emissions, enhanced nutrient cycling under NBS treatments, maintenance of yields comparable to conventional plots, biodiveristy benefits

Actions:

  • Field experiments comparing NBS versus conventional on ~20 ha, three‐year rotation (soya, sorghum, durum wheat).
  • Monitoring: soil & plant sampling, remote sensing technologies, soil profile analyses, biodiversity (ornithological) surveys.
  • Stakeholder engagement: workshops with farmers, educational tools (10 “NBS Help” mobile educational tools) for field demos and environmental education. 

Transferability of result:

The trial in a semi‐natural flood area with rich biodiversity, combined with monitoring across agronomic and socio­economic dimensions, offers transferable insights into agro‐ecological transitions in intensive farming systems with high biodiversity contexts

Lessons learnt:

In Year 2, NBS-managed plots showed better soil structure, lower CO₂ emissions and improved nutrient cycling compared to conventional, even under wetter conditions. 

Organisations:

  • Pannon-Mag Agrár Kft, Pisztráng Kör Egyesület, Széchenyi István University 

Contacts:

1. PANNON-MAG-AGRAR KFT

pannonmag@gmail.com
Zsolt Kovács-Csomor
Veronika Rapp

2. PISZTRANG KOR EGYESULET

zoli@pisztrangkor.hu
Zoltán Fűzfa

3. SZECHENYI EGYETEM

ver.andras@sze.hu
Dr. András Vér

The Hungarian NBS site is located in the Szigetköz region in northwest Hungary, part of the Danube valley semi‐natural flood area. Field experiments on about 20 ha compare NBS treatments (three-year crop rotations of soya, sorghum and durum wheat) with conventional farming. Monitoring includes soil & plant sampling, remote sensing, biodiversity assessment (200+ bird species recorded) and socio-economic baseline evaluation.