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Awareness Raising > Celebrating the Soils of Europe – EU Presidency Soils Series > Hungary

Overview

Introduction
Soils are amongst the most precious natural resources of Hungary. The favourable landscape, climate and soil conditions allowed the original Hungarians to settle in the Carpathian Basin. When looking at the soil map of Hungary, the various colours reflect how differences in environmental factors have determined the development of the soil cover .

The soils of Hungary
In hillier or mountainous areas, higher precipitation and lower temperatures lead to the development of soils under forest vegetation. These fertile soils, known as Luvisols, were heavily influenced by percolating water which led to the accumulation of clay in the subsoil. In the area between the mountains and the Hungarian Great Plain, young soils without distinct profile development are found (Cambisols). In lowland areas, one can find dark Chernozems, the most fertile soil of Hungary that supports the country’s agricultural production (see adjacent poster for more details). Soils in river valleys that have developed on stratified sediments are called Fluvisols. Arenosols, soils that have developed on windblown sands deposited after the end of the last ice age, are extensive in certain parts of the country. In certain situations, ground water containing soluble salts can be found close to the surface. If evaporation is higher than precipitation, then saltaffected soils such as Solonchaks and Solonetzs can be found.

Use
The soils of Hungary have been used very intensively throughout history for the cultivation of crops, for animal grazing and supporting woodlands for construction material. Currently, 48% of land is used for crops (mostly wheat and corn), 21% are forests, 8% are grasslands and 20% is uncultivated.

Issues
The major limitation to agriculture in Hungary is precipitation. Climate change models predict that Hungary will experience extreme precipitation events in the future. The greatest challenge is to store the rainfall within the soil through effective soil management practices. Such techniques will control erosion, minimise the loss of topsoil and maintain or even enhance organic carbon and the bio-diversity levels of the soils.



Presidency Soil Type: CHERNOZEM
Soils are among the most precious natural resources of Hungary. The favourable landscape, climate and soil conditions allowed the original Hungarians to settle in the Carpathian Basin. The most fertile soils are the dark Chernozems, that have developed predominantly in lowland areas in loess and loess-like sediments under ancient grasslands. They cover 21% of Hungary. A highly productive soils that is used for agriculture, Chernozems have a deep, dark, surface horizon (0 – 50 cm in the photograph) that is rich in organic matter. They carry favourable physical chemical properties, such as a good granular structure, high porosity, good infiltration and water storage and nutrient holding capacity. These characteristics ensure good yields for almost any crop type that is grown in them. The only limitation to agricultural production is the availability of water. The major crops grown on Chernozems are winter wheat and corn. A typical Chernozem soil profile will exhibit a 40-60 cm deep topsoil that is soft and rich organic matter, overlaying a subsoil containing calcium carbonate rich parent material. There is usually a transitional horizon in between the two. Chernozems are sensitive to mismanagement and can lose several of the highly sought after properties mentioned above if care is not taken. Compaction, structural degradation and erosion are the most common issues. Compacted soils have reduced porosity and infiltration causing increased runoff, erosion and less storage of soil moisture. With appropriate soil management practices, the organic carbon content and the bio-diversity of the soils can be maintained or even enhanced.

Click here for a detailed analysis of the Chernozem shown in the poster.


Geographical distribution
Chernozems cover around 80,000 km2, nearly 2% of the soil resources of the European Union. This soil type is found around the Berlin-Budapest axis, on the western end of the Eurasian Chernozem zone. Chernozems can be found in Bulgaria, Romania, in four Central-European countries and in Germany.

            
Map from Soils of the European Union (EUR23439)                         Credit: Erika Micheli
Eu presidency
PDF Format
Eu presidency
PDF Format

Further contacts

European Soil Bureau Network
Prof. Erika Micheli, Szent Istvan University
Institute of Environmental Sciences Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
Pater K.1., H - 2100 Godollo
Email: micheli.erika@mkk.szie.hu, Web:www.mkk.szie.hu

Hungarian Soil Science Society: http://www.soil.hu


 


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European Commission - Joint Research Centre
Institute for Environment and Sustainability
Contacts:
Marc Van Liedekerke(tel. +39-0332-785179)
Panos Panagos (tel. +39-0332-785574)